Movie star Leonardo DiCaprio testified in federal court Monday morning as part of a trial involving international money laundering, bribery and a prominent rap artist.
Prakazrel "Pras" Michel — a founding member of the iconic 1990s hip-hop group, The Fugees — is accused of funneling money from a fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Five years later, prosecutors say he tried to squelch an investigation into that same financer under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The 48-year-old Oscar winner answered questions on the witness stand calmly — occasionally deferring to a fuzzy memory on some details and dates. In addition to his relationship with Low, DiCaprio said he had known the defendant Michel since sometime in the 1990s when they met backstage after a Fugees concert.
DiCaprio said he had Low's funding and legitimacy carefully vetted before entering into a business relationship. "It was a significant sum — something to the tune of $20-30 million," he testified. "I said, ‘Wow that’s a lot of money!'"
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'That's a Lot of Money': Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies at Pras Michel TrialThe actor addressed his ties to Malaysian financier Jho Low, including a conversation about a massive donation Michel allegedly helped Low funnel to the Democratic Party
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies in Money-Laundering Case of Fugees Rapper PrasLeonardo DiCaprio said he had known Pras since sometime in the 1990s when they met backstage after a Fugees concert.
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio takes witness stand in trial of Fugees star Pras MichélThe former hip-hop star is accused of illegally funneling $2 million in stolen foreign money into a U.S. presidential campaign and scheming to quash an FBI investigation.
Read more »
Pras Has 'No Comment' Amid Leonardo DiCaprio Testimony in Conspiracy CasePras Michel has his game face on as his federal conspiracy case kicks into high gear in Washington D.C., with some huge names -- including Leonardo DiCaprio -- set to take the stand.
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio testifies for prosecution at trial of Fugees rapper Pras MichelMichel is accused of participating in a global campaign-finance conspiracy funded by Jho Low, a Malaysian businessman who allegedly stole billions of dollars from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund,…
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio testifies for prosecution at trial of Fugees rapper Pras Michel | CNN PoliticsActor Leonardo DiCaprio testified for prosecution in the trial of former Fugees member Pras Michel, who's accused of participating in a campaign-finance conspiracy
Read more »