Why Leonardo DiCaprio testified at trial of Fugees rapper
Leonardo DiCaprio testified Monday at the trial of former Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel because both men have ties to a Malaysian businessman at the center of a massive international scandal
NEW YORK (AP) — Leonardo DiCaprio testified Monday at the trial of former Fugee rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, who is accused of conspiring to funnel money from a Malaysian state fund to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Here is a look at the main characters in the international scandal, and the fund that fueled it.
THE PRAS PROSECUTION
Michel was a founding member of the influential 1990s hip-hop group the Fugees, along with better-known bandmates Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, who had major hits with “Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song." Prosecutors allege Michel conspired with Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho to funnel money from 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), a Malaysian state fund established in 2009 to promote development, to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign through straw donors. Prosecutors have said as much as $100 million went through Michel, a 50-year-old New York native who has maintained his innocence. His trial began Thursday.
THE FUGITIVE
