Fugees rapper Pras attempts to delay 14-year prison sentence
Pras of the Fugees was sentenced to 14 years in prison last month, but the rapper is seeking to postpone his time behind bars.
The 53-year-old (real name Prakazrel Michel) was ordered to surrender to authorities on January 27th, 2026, on conspiracy and illegal foreign lobbying charges.
However, Pras is asking to remain a free man while he appeals the verdict, which was handed down on November 20th.
In a legal filing on December 19th, his lawyers stated that he should be allowed to appeal the decision before heading to prison.
The motion obtained by Rolling Stone read, “Neither the DC Circuit nor any other Court of Appeals has ever confronted this extraordinary degree of improper jury influence, which appears to be unprecedented.”
In a statement, Pras’ spokesperson, Erica Dumas, said, “This wasn’t a fair trial. This was a coronation of guilt. We’re confident the appeals court will recognise this case for what it is, an unprecedented trial that denies Pras’ constitutional right to an impartial jury.”
His attorneys said, “If decided in Michel’s favour” the “substantial questions” outlined in the filing “would result in a new trial, reversal of nearly every count, and, at a minimum, a reduced sentence that would likely be less than the duration of Michel’s appeal.”
Pras was convicted of conspiracy, witness tampering, failing to register as an agent of China, and other counts in 2023.
He was accused of orchestrating a foreign influence campaign to get the US to drop an investigation into fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low.
As well as 14 years in prison, Pras was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $64 million to the government.