Former Fugees rapper Pras has become the latest American celebrity to find himself tangled up in a massive Malaysian embezzlement scandal.
Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel, a founding member of the hit 1990s group, is now fighting the US government over a $38million civil forfeiture complaint.
Michel has been accused of aiding a scheme to try and get the Justice Department to drop an investigation into embezzlement from a Malaysian investment fund.
The complaint claims Michel was looped into the scheme by the brother of Jho Low, a fugitive Malaysian financier who was charged by the Justice Department last year with embezzling from the fund - known as 1MDB - to finance his luxurious lifestyle.
It is believed more than $4.5billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, with Low using the fund to finance a private jet, $250million superyacht, Picasso paintings that were gifted to Leonardo DiCaprio, and even funding for the actor's film The Wolf Of Wall Street.
Former Fugees member Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel is now fighting the US government over a $38million civil forfeiture complaint
The complaint claims Michel was looped into a Malaysian embezzlement scandal by the brother of Jho Low, a fugitive Malaysian financier who once partied with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured together in 2013)
Michel allegedly opened bank accounts under false pretenses to help finance a lobbying campaign that unsuccessfully tried to shut down the investigation into 1MDB.
George Higginbotham, a former Justice Department official, pleaded guilty in November for his role in the lobbying effort, admitting he helped transfer tens of millions of dollars into the US to finance the campaign.
Prosecutors say Higginbotham, who worked on the congressional affairs staff in the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs, helped open bank accounts and created false loan documents for shell companies as part of the scheme.
It was the first public acknowledgement of a secret attempt to pressure American officials to drop their probe of the fund.
Prosecutors claim that Michel and Higginbotham worked together to open the accounts at US banks, and that Michel also distributed money to those involved in the campaign.
Justice Department officials are now trying to recover roughly $38million from Michel that they say can be connected to that effort.
Michel, who shot to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean (all pictured together), allegedly opened bank accounts to help finance a lobbying campaign that unsuccessfully tried to shut down the investigation into 1MDB
Michel has denied any wrongdoing, claiming last month that his name is being 'dragged through the mud'.
'I have never conspired to commit any crime, nor defraud any organization, in this case or otherwise,' he told the Washington Post.
Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Michel, asked for the complaint to be dismissed on Monday.
Pollack claimed the Justice Department failed to present sufficient allegations of bank fraud, conspiracy and false statements, or that the funds in the accounts the government wants to seize were proceeds of fraud.
Many have been tangled in the web of Jho Low, once known for partying with the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and DiCaprio.
Low, 38, was an expert at cultivating his image, surrounding himself with stars who were attracted to his $250million superyacht and famous parties.
It is believed more than $4.5billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, with Low using money for a private jet, Picasso paintings, and parties with celebrities (he is pictured here with Alicia Keys in 2013)
Low was also accused of using the money to purchase a $250million superyacht (pictured)
With so much money flowing around him, celebrities were quickly drawn into Low's world. Even the likes of DiCaprio couldn't resist Low and his $400million promise to help finance The Wolf of Wall Street.
But everything about Low's life changed when he was accused of draining billions of dollars from 1MDB.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak purportedly set up 1MDB to support Malaysia's economic development.
But authorities believe Razak, with the help of his Hollywood movie producer stepson Riza Aziz as well as Low, embezzled billions of dollars from the fund.
Investigations into 1MDB were reopened after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad returned to power in a stunning election victory in May, ending Najib's reign.
Najib, who has denied wrongdoing, was charged for money laundering and abuse of power in connection with funds transferred from a former unit of 1MDB in July.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) purportedly set up 1MDB to support Malaysia's economic development. But authorities believe Razak, with the help of Low and his Hollywood movie producer stepson Riza Aziz (right), embezzled billions of dollars from it
In November Low was also charged in the money laundering and bribery scheme.
Justice Department documents cite multiple instances in which Low allegedly siphoned funds from bond offerings for kickbacks and bribes to Malaysian officials.
They say many of the transactions were done through shell companies, which often are used to obscure origins and destinations of illicit activities.
Low has been in hiding since July. Authorities have seized his superyacht and put it on auction to help recoup some of the huge debts created by 1MDB.
DiCaprio has since returned a Picasso painting, a photograph by Diane Arbus, a Jean-Michel Basquiat collage, and an Academy Award won by Marlon Brando that Low had given to him as gifts.
DiCaprio said that he intended to auction off the pieces to raise money for his charity.
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https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/29/ex-fugees-member-pras-is-fighting-a-38-million-forfeiture-complaint/
Main photo article Former Fugees rapper Pras has become the latest American celebrity to find himself tangled up in a massive Malaysian embezzlement scandal.
Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel, a founding member of the hit 1990s group, is now fighting the US government over a $38million civil forfeiture c...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
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