Jurors will begin deliberating Monday morning in the case against former Fugees member Pras Michel, who the Justice Department has accused of being the linchpin of an international, multimillion-dollar conspiracy.
The three-week trial featured testimony from a diverse cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and took members of the jury on a winding, seven-year narrative of alleged corruption, greed and failed conspiracies.
Here’s what to know:
Michel is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and Malaysian billionaire Jho Low, working in the US to gain political connections and influence.
Prosecutors contend that Michel was paid millions by Low to secure access to both the Obama and Trump administrations and that he attempted to use those connections to advocate on Low and China’s behalf.
In 2012, Low paid Michel $20 million to help Low get a picture with then-President Barack Obama, Michel testified last week. Michel funneled over $800,000 of that money to the Obama Victory Fund through various straw donors at several events attended by the President, prosecutors say.
Years later, according to prosecutors, Michel would receive over $100 million from Low to help advocate for the release of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui from the US to China and for the US government to stop its investigation into Low.
Michel – after learning of the Justice Department’s investigation, prosecutors say – sent letters in 2019 to the straw donors he passed money through, telling them the money was a loan they needed to pay back or face legal action.
Michel faces 10 charges including conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China.
If convicted on each charge, Michel could face over a decade in prison. He has denied the…
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