Fugitive rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel surrendered to authorities and was sentenced to 14 years in prison for money laundering and illegal lobbying.
The 53-year-old rapper surrendered to the Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona, on April 30 to serve a 14-year sentence following his April 2023 conviction on 10 federal charges including money laundering, unlawful foreign lobbying, conspiracy to defraud the United States and witness tampering, according to a report published by Rolling Stone on Friday (May 1).
“Today is a painful day for Plath, his family, and everyone who believes in a fair system of justice,” Plath’s spokesperson Erica Dumas said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Plasse respected the legal process as he reported the beginning of his sentencing. The FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act)-related charges that led to his conviction are being vigorously documented on appeal, and his legal team believes in his legal process.”
Plath was initially sentenced on November 21, 2025, in federal court in Washington, DC. He was supposed to surrender in March, but a judge postponed the surrender date by 30 days. After serving his sentence, the Runaways member will be placed on probation for three years. He was also ordered to forfeit $64 million allegedly related to his crimes.
As previously reported, Plath was found guilty of participating in a multimillion-dollar international conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S. government on behalf of billionaire financier Jho Low, who was accused of embezzling billions of dollars from 1MDB Malaysia Development Fund. The rap veteran was also embroiled in the Obama campaign funds scandal, where he was accused of defrauding the U.S. government by making “foreign and conduit campaign contributions” to then-President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Prosecutors allege Plath pocketed millions of dollars through the illegal schemes.
Before being jailed, Plath attended Ye’s April 3 concert in Los Angeles, where he watched fellow Fugitive Lauryn Hill perform “All Falls Down” and other songs with the Chicago rapper and producer. Incidentally, Plath dropped his lawsuit against Ms. Hill in March, in which he alleged that Ms. Hill took advantage of his legal woes to pressure him into joining the Runaways reunion tour.
