Fugees star indicted in 2012 election scam

Former Fugees star Pras Michel has been charged for his alleged role in a campaign finance conspiracy linked to the 2012 presidential election.
In a four-count indictment, the musician, real name Prakazrel Michel, is accused of conspiring with fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho to make and conceal foreign campaign contributions to boost a U.S. presidential candidate’s bid.
Prosecutors claim Low directed millions of dollars through Michel’s accounts in 2012 in order to funnel money into a presidential campaign.
Michel then allegedly paid donors, so they could make the cash offers and conceal where the money actually came from.
The identity of the politician who profited from the alleged scheme has not been released.
“Mr. Michel is extremely disappointed that so many years after the fact the government would bring charges related to 2012 campaign contributions,” Michel’s defence lawyer Barry Pollack tells Billboard. “Mr. Michel is innocent of these charges and looks forward to having the case heard by a jury.”
A representative for Low insists the financier is also innocent, stating, “Mr. Low has never made any campaign contributions directly or indirectly in the U.S. and he unequivocally denies any involvement in or knowledge of the alleged activities.”