rapper Pras Michel was found guilty on Wednesday of 10 counts related to an international conspiracy to help China influence US politics and government.
The former refugee member has been accused of helping a fugitive Malaysian businessman Yeh low in assisting the Chinese government in gaining access to the highest levels of US government. This allegedly included access to former presidents donald trump And Barack Obamaaccording to CNN.
RELATED: Refugee’s Pras faces trial on conspiracy charges as jury selection begins this week
Pras Michel found guilty of 10 counts related to international conspiracy with China
The rapper was reportedly found guilty of “conspiracy to defraud the United States” and “witness tampering.” In addition, he was found guilty of “acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.”
CNN reports that Michel faces up to 20 years in prison. However, no judgment date has been scheduled for the rapper just yet.
In addition, the rapper claims his innocence, as reported by the New York Post.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Refugee rapper Pras Michel has been found guilty of multimillion-dollar political conspiracies across two presidencies. pic.twitter.com/73Ns2EPUte
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 26, 2023
More details on the International Conspiracy Scheme
Last week, the Grammy winner testified that Low paid him $20 million in 2012 to get a picture of himself with Obama. Prosecutors allege that Michel then used over $800,000 of those funds through multiple sponsors for Obama’s re-election campaign.
Michel testified that he thought he could spend the money as he saw fit. He also added that he never acted under Low’s direction.
“I could have bought 12 elephants with that,” he told the jury.
Low reportedly rejoined Michel after Trump’s election in 2016, according to prosecutors.
Around that time, federal authorities began intensifying investigations into Low and his alleged embezzlement of billions of dollars from 1MBD – a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund and strategic development company.
Low reportedly sent Michel over $100 million to try to influence the US government. In addition, the money was supposedly used to stop the investigation into the Malaysian businessman.
According to the federal prosecutor, on instructions from the Chinese government, Michel also approved the extradition of the Chinese dissident Guo Wengui.
Pras tries to explain distant links to fugitive Malaysian businessman who was lightly sentenced in absentia
Meanwhile, Michel testified that he was merely trying to find an attorney for Low in the United States. He also added that the $100 million was for a media company he was in the process of founding.
He further denied that the massive investment came from Low.
Low, who is believed to be in China, was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison in Kuwait last month for his role in laundering at least $1 billion related to $4.5 billion stolen from 1MDB , reported the New York Post.
The $1 billion was laundered with Chinese currency via Kuwait. This was due to Low’s efforts to keep the funds out of the US banking system “and out of the reach of the Justice Department and its investigators,” the outlet reported.
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