Pras Michel, best known as one-third of The Fugees, is now facing what’s likely the most challenging chapter of his life. On Thursday (Nov. 20), a federal judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison, marking a dramatic fall for an artist whose music once helped define an era, according to a report from Fox 5.

According to the Justice Department, prosecutors argued that Michel’s actions stretched far beyond poor decision-making.

In their eyes, the celebrated rapper orchestrated a sweeping influence operation that reached into some of the most powerful rooms in Washington. They said the artist “lied unapologetically and unrelentingly” to keep the scheme in motion, even after federal investigators closed in.

At the heart of the case were accusations that the Grammy-winning artist secretly helped channel millions in foreign money into Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign while also attempting to sway investigations tied to the massive 1MDB fraud scandal.

Prosecutors described the hip-hop veteran’s involvement as “extraordinary,” alleging he manipulated backchannel access, leaned on intermediaries, and tried to help return a Chinese national to his home country without proper legal process.

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They further claimed that the musician received more than $120 million from fugitive financier  Low Taek Jho, money they say fueled a years-long effort that “targeted the highest levels of American government.”

According to prosecutors, the New Jersey native wasn’t just a participant; he was a willing conduit elevating foreign interests above those of the United States.

The government argued that when accountability drew near, the “Ghetto Supastar” rapper attempted to clean up the fallout by tampering with witnesses and later lying under oath.

They insisted that the punishment should reflect “the breadth and depth of his crimes” and the “magnitude of his greed,” painting the former hitmaker as someone who repeatedly chose deception over responsibility.

For now, the ruling represents an extraordinary fall — a sharp turn for the embattled artist, whose legal battles have overshadowed a once-celebrated legacy.

Michel will appeal the conviction and sentence, according to his attorney.