Pras Michel, a former member of the band Ex-Fugees, was found guilty of 10 counts, including corruption, resulting from allegations that he used the money to buy and sell influence in the United States.
US prosecutors alleged that Michel received over $100 million (£80 million) from Malaysian oligarch Jho Low for use in two attempts to influence US politics.
The self-described “celebrity surrogate” was also found guilty of lobbying for China’s government. Now, the rapper faces years of imprisonment.
Michel, 50, was found guilty of campaign finance violations, operating as an unregistered foreign agent, witness tampering, and lying to banks by a court in Washington, DC.
His attorney, David Kenner, stated that he was dissatisfied with the verdict and intended to submit an appeal.
“This is not over,” said Mr. Kenner. “I remain extremely confident that we will prevail in this matter in the end.”
Mr. Kenner stated that he had also filed mistrial motions. The trial, which began on 30 March, featured the testimony of Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Between 2012 and 2017, the Grammy-winning musician was accused of exerting “secret, illegal, foreign influence” during the administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
During the infamous 1MDB scandal, Mr. Low, a businessman who funneled money to Michel, is accused of plundering approximately $4 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Mr. Low, who is sought by the U.S. government, allegedly contributed to the financing of Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street with funds stolen from the sovereign fund.
Michel allegedly lobbied Trump administration officials to abandon their investigation into Mr. Low’s involvement in the scandal.
In addition, Michel was accused of accepting money from China to lobby US officials to extradite a Chinese dissident residing in the United States, Guo Wengui, back to China.
Nicole Lockhart, the chief prosecutor for the government, told the jury that Michel was “looking for other ways to be paid” after his music career stalled.
She also stated that he saw an “opportunity to make money” through Mr. Low, who “needed a different type of help” to avoid the consequences of the 1MDB scheme.
Michel acknowledged receiving money from Mr. Low, including $20 million to assist him in obtaining a photo with Mr. Obama, but claimed he viewed the payments as “free money.”
In his own defense, Michel testified that he felt “betrayed” by his advisers and employees, whom he claimed had given him poor advice on how to manage money and avoid breaking the law.
He admitted, however, that it had been “stupid” of him to contact “friends” who were “getting visits” from the FBI in regard to campaign contributions, a move that led to his witness tampering allegations.
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