Leonardo DiCaprio made an appearance at a Washington, D.C. Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a member of the hip hop group The Fugees accused of unlawfully taking tens of millions of dollars to influence the U.S. government on behalf of a Malaysian financier and the Chinese government, will testify in federal court.
Reportedly, banker Jho Low is suspected of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. He is said to have ties to a number of prominent figures, including “Titanic” star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Low reportedly presented Leonardo DiCaprio with a Picasso as payment for the actor’s presence at one of his parties. He has assisted American officials in their investigation.
Michel is accused of profiting off Low’s alleged embezzlement scam. He also benefited from the Chinese government’s efforts to convince other nations to repatriate Guo Wengui to China.
Prosecutors accuse Michel of participating in three different lobbying operations to influence the administrations of former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Michel has denied the allegations.
Two Grammys were awarded to the Fugees in 1996 for their platinum record “The Score,” but by 2012, according to officials, Michel severely needed money.
Michel allegedly colluded with Low to launder around $2 million for Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. It is prohibited for foreign nationals to contribute to political campaigns in the United States.
According to authorities, Michel then engaged in improper influence tactics to get the Trump administration to cease investigating Low.
Michel and others are accused of plotting to get the Trump administration to return Guo to China at Beijing’s request.
According to the government, Michel was paid $70 million for his efforts.
Michel’s defenders are expected to argue that their client was unaware he was working for a foreign entity, maintaining instead that he was advancing American interests.
