Prakazrel “Pras” Michel arrives at court Thursday.Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP/Shutterstock
Prosecutor Nicole Lockhartmade the accusations during opening statements on Thursday as the trial against Michel, 50, began. The Grammy winner faces 11 criminal charges including conspiracy and witness tampering. Michel has denied the allegations against him.
“This is a case about foreign money, influence and concealment,“Ms. Lockhart told the Washington courtroomon Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Low, who is currently an international fugitive, is suspected of embezzling $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s1MDB sovereign wealth fund, theWashington Postreports. It is believed to be one of the largest financial crimes ever recorded.
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Michel is also accused of involvement in a Chinese government influence campaign that had pushed for the Trump administration to expatriate a Chinese dissident,Guo Wengui, who had fled to the U.S.
Another charge alleges Michel funneled millions of Low’s cash intoPresident Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaignthrough contributions that, on the surface, looked legitimate. However, they concealed the true source of the money.
“The defendant wanted money and was willing to break any laws necessary to get paid,” Lockhart said.
Michel’s lawyers did not make opening remarks at Thursday’s court session, but have previously maintained he is innocent and “extremely disappointed” in the accusations, TheAssociated Press reports.
Michel’s fame was at its height when The Fugees won twoGrammy Awardsfor 1996’s albumThe Score. But Lockhart told the court the musician was “looking for other ways to be paid” after his entertaining career had dwindled. That’s when he linked up with Low, whom the prosecutor said wanted to “get close to the rich and famous.”
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Low has ties with a series of A-list celebrities — includingLeonardo DiCaprio— who could potentially be called to testify at Michel’s trial.
Low helped financeThe Wolf of Wall Streetand giftedDiCaprio with Marlon Brando’s Best Actor Oscarfor 1954’sOn the Waterfront.
DiCaprio handed the gift to authorities during their investigationinto the 1MDB scandal. SupermodelMiranda Kerrwas also the recipient of gifts from Low, including a see-through grand piano.
Former Trump officials are also expected to give testimony at the trial, which is underway at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
source: people.com
