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Former Fugees rapper accused of trying to thwart the DOJ’s 1MDB probe

Rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel allegedly helped notorious Malaysian financier Jho Low move millions into the U.S. in a bid to end the DOJ investigation

From left: Jho Low, Pras Michel, Elliott Broidy and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (Credit: TRD)
From left: Jho Low, Pras Michel, Elliott Broidy and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (Credit: TRD)

Former Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel is accused of helping fugitive financier Jho Low move $73 million into the U.S. in a bid to influence the U.S. Department of Justice’s 1MDB probe.

The accusations were made in a civil lawsuit filed Friday by the DOJ, according to the New York Post.

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Court documents reportedly allege Michel worked with a former DOJ official named George Higginbotham to move the money into four American bank accounts and were planning to transfer the funds to an unidentified couple who would then lobby the DOJ to drop its criminal investigation into Low.

The DOJ believes Low siphoned off at least $4.5 billion from Malaysian development fund, 1Malaysia Development Bhd. (1MDB), between 2009 and 2015. Low allegedly used the stolen funds to buy a stake in Steve Witkoff’s Park Lane Hotel, among other luxury properties in New York and Los Angeles.

In March, the Wall Street Journal obtained emails that revealed negotiations of a consulting contract between venture capitalist and Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy and his wife attorney Robin Rosenzweig and Low. In one draft, a $75 million payment would be issued if the DOJ dropped its criminal investigation into Low. [NYP]–Erin Hudson

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Commercial Real EstateMoney LaunderingTaek Jho Low