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Pras Michel

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music1 year ago

Fugees' Pras Michél Denies Spy Allegations Amid Legal Battle

Pras Michel, founder of the Fugees, faces a potential 22-year prison sentence after being convicted on charges related to the 1MDB scandal, including illegal lobbying and campaign finance violations. Michel, who claims he never intended to be a spy, was involved with financier Jho Low, who is accused of embezzling billions from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund. Despite his conviction, Michel plans to appeal, maintaining his innocence. The case highlights the intersection of celebrity, politics, and global finance, with Michel being the only one in Low's circle facing significant legal consequences.

via Variety|
#1mdb-scandal#celebrity-trials#fugees
legalcriminal-justice1 year ago

Celebrity Lawyer Sentenced for Leaking Evidence in Fugees Rapper's Case

David Kenner, former lawyer for Fugees rapper Pras Michel, was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and fined after admitting to sharing protected discovery material with reporters in violation of a court order. The judge initially expressed concerns about the lack of punishment but ultimately accepted the deal. Kenner called the conviction a "low point" in his career and admitted to being "reckless." This comes after Michel's conviction on felony counts, with his lawyer's handling of the defense being called into question.

via NBC News|
#contempt-case#fugees#lawyer
legalcriminal-justice1 year ago

"Prominent Hip-Hop Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Leaking Evidence in Fugees Rapper's Case"

Attorney David Kenner, who represented Fugees rapper Pras Michel in a federal conspiracy case, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury information to reporters and was sentenced to one year of probation. This action led to the publication of articles containing confidential materials. Michel's spokesperson criticized Kenner's actions, stating that they breached ethical lines and cost him dearly. Michel was convicted of money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations in April 2023, with charges tied to his relationship with Malaysian financier Jho Low. His new lawyers are seeking a new trial.

via Rolling Stone|
#criminal-contempt#fugees#lawyer
legalcrime1 year ago

"Prominent Hip-Hop Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Leaking Evidence in Fugees Rapper's Case"

Lawyer David Kenner, who defended Fugees rapper Pras Michél, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court for leaking confidential evidence, including grand jury materials, to Bloomberg News before Michél’s conviction in a foreign embezzlement scheme. Kenner faced up to six months in jail but was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and a $5,000 fine. Michél, convicted of 10 federal crimes related to money laundering and illegal lobbying, has yet to be sentenced.

via The Washington Post|
#foreign-embezzlement-scheme#guilty-plea#lawyer
legalcrime1 year ago

Celebrity Lawyer Admits to Leaking Evidence in Fugees Rapper's Case

Prominent celebrity lawyer David Kenner pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury information to reporters about a political conspiracy case against Fugees rapper Pras Michel, for which he was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation and a $5,000 fine. Kenner's actions led to a misdemeanor contempt of court charge, and his client, Michel, was eventually convicted of all 10 counts. Kenner's attorney argued that the reporters initially agreed to sign a protective order, but later changed their minds. Michel is now pushing for a new trial, claiming that Kenner made a host of errors, including bungling closing arguments by using an artificial intelligence program.

via The Associated Press|
#celebrity-lawyer#david-kenner#fugees
legal2 years ago

Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Claims AI-Assisted Defense Backfired

Grammy winner Pras Michel's lawyer, David Kenner, used an AI program to generate his closing argument, which turned out to be a flop. Michel was convicted, and his new counsel claims that Kenner's argument made frivolous claims, misunderstood the required elements, and ignored weaknesses in the government's case. Additionally, it was revealed that Kenner and another lawyer had an undisclosed financial interest in a company that acted as a technology partner to the AI program, potentially advancing their own financial interests at Michel's expense.

via Boing Boing|
#ai-generated-closing-argument#conviction#david-kenner
legalcriminal-justice2 years ago

Rapper's AI defense prompts appeal for new trial in Obama campaign funding case

Rapper Pras Michel of the Fugees, who was convicted of helping launder millions of dollars in illegitimate contributions to Barack Obama's campaign, is seeking a new trial by claiming his former attorney used artificial intelligence (AI) to generate a flawed closing argument. Michel's defense team alleges that the attorney had a financial stake in the AI program and failed to highlight weaknesses in the government's case. The motion for a new trial also mentions a press release by a firm claiming to have used AI in Michel's trial. Michel was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to use foreign funds for illegal lobbying and campaign contributions.

via Fox News|
#ai#fugees#legalcriminal-justice
legal2 years ago

Fugees' Pras Michel Claims AI-Driven Closing Argument, Seeks New Trial

Pras Michel, member of the Fugees, is seeking a new trial after claiming that his defense attorney used artificial intelligence (AI) to compile their closing argument during his trial for charges including conspiring to make straw campaign donations and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China. Michel's new attorneys argue that the use of AI resulted in ineffective assistance of counsel and a conflict of interest, as the attorney had a financial stake in the AI program. The motion also raises other criticisms of the attorney's handling of the case, including a potential contempt of court citation and failure to seek separate trials for different charges.

via POLITICO|
#ai#defense-attorney#fugees
entertainment2 years ago

The Fugees' Surprise Reunion Performance at Hip-Hop's Greatest Festival.

The Fugees, consisting of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel, reunited for a surprise performance at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. The group had announced a tour in celebration of their 25th anniversary, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may be the last time fans see the trio together as Michel is facing up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty on 10 criminal counts related to an international conspiracy.

via CNN|
#entertainment#lauryn-hill#pras-michel
music2 years ago

Fugees Reunite for Surprise Performance at Philadelphia's Roots Picnic

Lauryn Hill surprised fans at Philadelphia's Roots Picnic by reuniting with her Fugees bandmates, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel, for the first time since their comeback tour was canceled. The trio performed a six-song mini-set, including classics like "Killing Me Softly" and "Fu-Gee-La." However, Pras Michel's recent conviction for his involvement in a billion-dollar money laundering scheme may cut short the Fugees' reunion. Lauryn Hill still has two solo live dates remaining in June and an appearance at Australia's Promiseland Festival in October.

via Consequence|
#fugees#lauryn-hill#music
music2 years ago

The Fugees surprise reunion at Roots Picnic likely their last show.

Lauryn Hill surprised the audience at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia by bringing out her former Fugees bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras Michél for a six-song set. The reunion was a fully-rehearsed, crisply executed session that included hits like "Ready or Not" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song." The surprise reunion was made possible by the diligence of Questlove and Roots manager Shawn Gee.

via Variety|
#fugees#lauryn-hill#music
music2 years ago

The Fugees Reunite for Likely Last Show at Roots Picnic

Ms. Lauryn Hill surprised fans at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia by bringing out Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel for a six-song set, marking a rare Fugees reunion. The set included performances of classic hits such as "Killing Me Softly" and "Fu-Gee-La." Michel, who is awaiting sentencing after being convicted on conspiracy charges earlier this year, faces up to 20 years in prison. The Fugees had planned a reunion tour that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

via Pitchfork|
#fugees#lauryn-hill#music
music2 years ago

The Fugees Reunite for Potentially Final Show at Roots Picnic.

Fugees surprised fans with a six-song set at the Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia, potentially marking their final performance together. The reunion comes after the group canceled their 25th-anniversary tour due to the pandemic. However, Pras Michel, one of the group's members, is facing up to 20 years in prison for charges including money laundering and illegal lobbying. Michel maintains his innocence.

via Rolling Stone|
#fugees#lauryn-hill#music
crime2 years ago

Ex-Fugees rapper Pras Michel convicted for aiding China's influence on US government.

Former Fugees rapper Pras Michel has been found guilty of ten criminal counts related to an international conspiracy aimed at influencing the US government. Michel was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the US, witness tampering, and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Michel is reported to have funneled over $800,000 of $20 million paid to him by Malaysian businessman Jho Low in 2012 to Obama’s campaign through a number of straw donors. The failed conspiracy to influence the US government, which Michel was found guilty of, reached the highest levels of the US government.

via Today News Africa|
#china#conspiracy#crime
crime2 years ago

Fugees' Pras Michel convicted in illegal lobbying and foreign influence scheme.

Ex-Fugees musician Prakazrel "Pras" Michel has been found guilty of 10 counts, including corruption, stemming from allegations he used money to peddle influence in the US. Michel had received more than $100m from Malaysian billionaire Jho Low that was used in two efforts to influence US politics. The rapper was also convicted of lobbying on behalf of China's government. Michel, 50, was convicted in a Washington DC court of campaign finance violations, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, witness tampering and lying to banks.

via BBC|
#corruption#crime#jho-low