GRAMMY-winning hip-hop star Pras Michel was found guilty of 10 counts related to what prosecutors called a 'clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme' funded by a wealthy Malaysian financier to peddle influence in the United States.
4:23 PM PDT, April 26, 2023GRAMMY-winning hip-hop star Pras Michel was found guilty of 10 counts related to what prosecutors called a"clandestine foreign influence campaign scheme" funded by a wealthy Malaysian financier to peddle influence in the United States. and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions take the stand and testify under oath.
Michel testified in his defense last week and said his relationship with Low began in 2006 at a Manhattan nightclub. Low, Michel said, bought bottles of champagne for everyone in the club and flashed his wealth. During his testimony, however, Michel offered a different interpretation of the events. He said he viewed Low's payments as"free money," and accepted the millions over the course of nine months to help Low secure a photo-op with Obama. Securing the picture with Obama, Michel testified, proved harder than expected as campaign officials were wary of the Malaysian financier's past.
The money, Michel said, was his -- not Low's -- and the intent was not to break the law, but to secure the photo for Low. The jury also found Michel guilty of attempting to pressure some of those 2012 straw donors to whom he sent money in an effort to influence their cooperation with investigators. The rapper testified he followed the bad advice of a hired attorney, a"stupid" idea that he said he regretted.
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