FUGEES RAPPER PRAS MICHEL REPORTS TO ARIZONA FEDERAL PRISON TO BEGIN 14-YEAR SENTENCE AFTER CONVICTION ON CONSPIRACY AND FOREIGN AGENT CHARGES. (PHOTO).

 Fugees rapper Pras Michel reports to Arizona federal prison to begin 14-year sentence after conviction on conspiracy and foreign agent charges

Rapper Pras Michel, a member of the Grammy-winning group the Fugees, has begun serving a 14-year federal prison sentence after reporting to a facility in Arizona following his 2023 conviction on conspiracy and related charges.

The 53-year-old arrived Thursday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona, according to prison records. His surrender follows a series of delays after a judge initially ordered him to begin serving his sentence in January, then pushed the date to March, and later to April 30.

In a statement, Michel’s spokesperson described the day as “painful” for the artist and his family, while stressing that his legal team continues to challenge aspects of the case on appeal. The statement said the charges tied to foreign agent registration violations remain contested and argued that his rights were violated during the proceedings.

Michel was convicted by a federal jury in April 2023 on multiple counts, including conspiracy, concealment of material facts, falsifying records, witness tampering, and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Prosecutors said he worked with Malaysian businessman Jho Low in an effort to influence U.S. government actions and obstruct an investigation into alleged financial crimes.

Authorities also alleged that Michel funneled millions of dollars connected to Low into the 2012 U.S. presidential election through what were presented as legitimate campaign contributions, while concealing their true origin. He faced a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison before receiving the 14-year term.