Pras Michel: The Fugee Felon | 168

Summary

Scamfluencers Episode 168: Pras Michel – The Fugee Felon

Introduction

In Episode 168 of Wondery's "Scamfluencers," co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagie delve into the tumultuous journey of Pras Michel, a member of the iconic rap group the Fugees. This episode, titled "Pras Michel: The Fugee Felon," unveils how Michel transitioned from international fame to becoming embroiled in a web of deception, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Pras Michel and the Fugees

The episode begins by highlighting Pras Michel's early success with the Fugees. Formed in high school alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, the group gained prominence with their politically charged music aimed at promoting social change. Their sophomore album, The Score (1996), was a commercial triumph, selling over 18 million copies and earning two Grammy Awards. A notable moment is when Pras reflects on their meteoric rise:

Pras Michel (07:47): "I went from being on the streets of Newark to Park Avenue overnight."

However, internal conflicts, particularly between Wyclef and Lauryn, led to the band's disbandment in 1997, setting the stage for Pras's subsequent ventures.

Transition to Activism and Filmmaking

Post-Fugees, Pras shifted his focus to activism and filmmaking, aiming to leverage his fame for positive societal impact. In 2006, he embarked on a documentary project exploring homelessness in Los Angeles's Skid Row. This period showcased his dedication to social causes but also hinted at the financial pressures he faced outside the lucrative music industry.

Meeting Joe Low and Initial Interactions

Pras's life took a dramatic turn when he met Joe Low, a Malaysian billionaire known for his extravagant parties and questionable business dealings. Their first interaction occurred in 2006 at a New York City nightclub, where Joe orchestrated a display of wealth by spending millions to dominate the venue's social scene. Pras was both impressed and skeptical of Joe's opulence:

Sachi Kol (02:55): "Joe is a Malaysian businessman in his mid-20s... he wants to prove it by buying every bottle in the club."

This meeting planted the seeds for a relationship that would soon intertwine fame, money, and illegal activities.

The Demand for the Obama Photo

Fast forward to 2012, Joe Low approached Pras with an audacious request: to secure a photograph with then-President Barack Obama. To fund this endeavor, Joe transferred an unexpected $1 million to Pras's account:

Pras Michel (15:44): "It's like rubbing a genie lamp."

Eager to fulfill Joe's demand, Pras began funneling these funds into Obama's presidential campaign. However, this maneuver skirted legal boundaries, as foreign nationals are prohibited from making political donations in the U.S. Without proper disclosure, Pras used straw donors—friends who would legally donate Joe's money—thus evading federal scrutiny.

FBI Investigation and Robert Huechling's Role

The escalating financial transactions did not go unnoticed. FBI agent Robert Huechling, leading an international corruption and money laundering unit, began investigating Joe Low. By 2016, Huechling had amassed significant evidence against Low, including illicit transfers related to the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia—a scheme that had drained billions from Malaysian state funds.

Pras's role became increasingly precarious as Huechling connected the dots between his campaign contributions and Joe's illicit activities. Despite receiving substantial funds, Pras remained loyal to Low, refusing to cooperate with authorities or disclose further details about their dealings.

Attempted Negotiations in China

In a desperate bid to protect his dwindling resources and evade legal repercussions, Pras engaged in high-stakes negotiations with Chinese officials. Accompanied by Elliot Broidy, the Deputy Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee, Pras traveled to mainland China to broker a deal involving the extradition of Guo Wengui, a Chinese billionaire wanting to leave the country amidst corruption charges.

This move not only deepened Pras's entanglement in international politics but also violated U.S. laws regarding foreign lobbying. His actions culminated in severe legal consequences, positioning him as an unregistered foreign agent working on behalf of a foreign power.

Pras's Indictment and Trial

By 2018, the FBI had established a robust case against both Joe Low and Pras Michel. As authorities seized Joe's assets and pursued him internationally, they turned their attention to Pras. In November 2017, the U.S. government filed criminal charges against Michel for his role in laundering money and illegally influencing the presidential election.

Pras's trial, commencing in March 2023, was marked by dramatic courtroom moments, including the testimony of Leonardo DiCaprio:

Leonardo DiCaprio (during trial, 10:30): "Pras did express his intent to make a major donation to the Democratic Party."

Despite his high-profile defense, Pras's lack of experience in white-collar crime trials became evident, leading to a persuasive case by the prosecution. The culmination of these events saw Pras convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy and making illegal contributions to Obama's campaign.

Conclusion and Aftermath

Pras Michel's fall from grace was swift and unforgiving. His conviction not only tarnished his legacy with the Fugees but also exposed the vulnerabilities and ethical breaches within the influencer and celebrity culture. The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of fame and the ease with which influential individuals can manipulate systems for personal gain.

Pras's story serves as a cautionary tale about the seductive allure of money and power, highlighting how even those with noble intentions can become ensnared in illicit activities when faced with overwhelming temptations. As he awaits his sentencing, his once-promising career lies in ruins, underscoring the devastating consequences of prioritizing wealth over integrity.

Notable Quotes

• Pras Michel (07:47): "I went from being on the streets of Newark to Park Avenue overnight."
• Sachi Kol (02:55): "Joe is a Malaysian businessman in his mid-20s... he wants to prove it by buying every bottle in the club."
• Pras Michel (15:44): "It's like rubbing a genie lamp."
• Leonardo DiCaprio (10:30): "Pras did express his intent to make a major donation to the Democratic Party."

Final Reflections

Co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagie ponder the ethical decline of a former music star, emphasizing the importance of awareness and integrity in the face of temptation:

Sarah Hagie (52:17): "I do think he's gonna do it again."

Sachi Kol (53:27): "Know your strengths when you're doing a scam."

The episode underscores the complex interplay between influence, ambition, and morality, offering listeners a gripping narrative of rise, fall, and the enduring quest for redemption.

Transcript

[Sachi Kol]

Hey, Scamflancers fans, Sachi here. If you live for the outrageous stories and unbelievable cons that we cover, you need OneDryPlus. It's like sitting in the room with us as we unravel every twist ad free, a week ahead of everyone else and packed with exclusive content you won't hear anywhere else. Start your free trial in the Wondry app, Apple podcasts, or Spotify. Sarah, I feel like everyone around our age has a very specific and profound relationship with the Fugees. Do you?

[Sarah Hagie]

Oh, big time. And my two older sisters were, like, the age to actually listen to the Fugees. Yeah, yeah.

[Sachi Kol]

My brother, too. This is the same thing.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, you know, it's just one of those bands where you're like, I know more of their songs than. I probably even realized that I can sing off by heart.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah. I feel like, obviously I love music, but I love mess. And so I love the Fugees because, like, between the secret hookups and their very public feuds, they were kind of like a disaster waiting to happen.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, there was drama in that band for sure. They were everywhere, all the time.

[Sachi Kol]

Well, Sarah, all that drama pales in comparison with what happened after the band broke up. Would you trust the least famous Fuji with an international prisoner exchange? No. Well, today I'm going to tell you about how Praz Michel became the spy no one asked for. It's 2006 in New York City, and Praz Michel is planning on having a quiet night in until he gets a call from a club promoter. The promoter's a friend, and he's looking for a celebrity to come to a club and party with a billionaire. Tonight, Praz is a tall, lanky Haitian American in his 30s. He's past the peak of his fame, but he's still a big deal. He's part of the on again, off again rap group the Fugees, which has won two Grammys and sold over 20 million albums. The Fugees disbanded back in 1997 and only recently got back together about two years ago. But their reunion has been pretty tumultuous. So Pras has turned his attention to documentaries. His latest project is all about the realities of poverty. But being a filmmaker isn't as lucrative as being in one of the biggest rap groups of the 90s. So even though Pras doesn't drink, he agrees to go to the nightclub and collect an appearance fee. Plus, he wants to help out his friend. Later that night, Pras walks into pm, a dimly lit club in the meatpacking district. He weaves through leather booths and tables offering overpriced bottle service and makes his way to the VIP area. And that is where he meets the billionaire Joe Low.

[Sarah Hagie]

I mean, we know him, he's famous to us. I mean, we did cover him. Yeah, he is a scammer billionaire who loves being around celebrities.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, he does. Joe is a Malaysian businessman in his mid-20s with a short, stocky frame, wire glasses and a big ego. He's known for paying celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio to party with him. And Pras is tonight's a lister. It's a pretty routine night at the club until some Wall street douchebags take the DJs microphone and announce that they're the richest people in the club. And to prove it, they're buying everybody a drink. The crowd cheers, but Joe is not one to be outdone. He pays 20 grand to use the DJs mic and yells, stop the music. The record scratches and Joe instantly has everyone's attention. He offers a correction. He is the richest guy here and he wants to prove it by buying every bottle in the club. Champagne, liquor, water, everything. But that's still not enough for Joe. He reportedly has someone go to the club across the street and buy every bottle there too. The crowd goes wild and the DJ starts playing We Will Rock youk.

[Sarah Hagie]

You know, this is famously how love works. It requires no authentic emotion or connection. It just requires you have to be seen. And he wants to be seen as the richest guy in the club, at the other club. And he's happy. You know that now. And now you love him and he loves you.

[Sachi Kol]

Correct. It's seamless. And Pras is impressed. He may be a big performer, but he's never seen a crowd go nuts like this. By Praz's estimations, Joe just spent at least a million dollars like it was nothing. Praz goes home and likely laughs off this insane evening, never planning to see Joe again. But in a few years, the two men will reconnect. But this time, the night won't end with champagne and Queen. Joe's about to become one of the most wanted men in the world. And Praz will go from a rap superstar to secret power broker in a billion dollar international scandal.

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[Robert Huechling]

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[Sachi Kol]

From Wondery. I'm Sachi Kol.

[Sarah Hagie]

And I'm Sarah Hagie.

[Sachi Kol]

And this is Scamfluencers.

[Sarah Hagie]

Come and give me your attention.

[Sachi Kol]

I won't ever learn my lesson. Praz Michel is a man of contradictions. He's in the Fugees, but he's the least famous one. He's an activist who also loves luxury goods. After rising to international fame, Pras tried to find a way to keep up his celebrity lifestyle and make a positive societal impact in but his two desires were often at odds and in the end, greed won. Pras got seduced by the allure of easy money and thought the power of celebrity would insulate him from campaign finance law and extradition agreements. By the time he realized how deep of a hole he dug for himself, it was far too late to get out. Ready or not, this is Praz Michel, the Fugee Felon. Let's go back to when we all probably first heard of Praz Michel. It's 1997 and the 39th annual Grammy Awards are being held at Madison Square Garden. Ellen DeGeneres is hosting in her pre coming out era. LeAnn Rimes, Jewel and no Doubt are all up for Best New Artist. But right now everyone is on the edge of their seats to see who will win best Rap Album and will it be Tupac, LL Cool J, or a new group called the Fugees? Toni Braxton reads the results and the best rap album is the Fugees. The audience erupts in Cheers as 24 year old Praz in a sweatshirt and jeans takes the stage with his bandmates Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. They each take a turn at the mic or Pras says everybody who made.

[Lauryn Hill]

It happen for the Fugees. Thank you for supporting us.

[Sachi Kol]

This is the second Grammy the trio takes home that night and Pras is over the moon. Something like this was unimaginable to him as a child. He was raised in New Jersey by strict Haitian parents who forbade him from watching tv, listening to pop music, or even wearing sneakers. He could only indulge in music by singing and performing in his church's band. But once he made it to high school, Pras found ways to branch out in 1989 when he was 14, he met a classmate named Lauryn Hill. And together, along with Pras's closest friend, Wyclef Jean, they formed a band called the Fugees. Named as a nod to refugees, they started creating music with a specific goal in promoting political and social change. As Pras told MTV years later when they covered a Fugees concert in Haiti.

[Lauryn Hill]

Wherever we feel like refugees had a bad name and that's what we represent. Just trying to uplift the people, give people like a self of pride, you know what I mean?

[Sachi Kol]

Growing up, Praz's parents were deeply invested in Haitian politics, and Praz took an interest in activism at an early age. The Fugees was just one way Praz planned to get his voice heard. It wasn't until the group sophomore album in 1996 that they really blew up. It's called the Score, and it's the album that earns them two Grammys and skyrockets them to stardom. Sarah, I know you know the Fugees song Killing Me Softly.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yes, of course. Classic song, perfect song. Introduced me to Roberta Flack, a classic and a banger to this day.

[Sachi Kol]

Perfect song, perfect song. And it's the song that makes Praz mega famous and an instant millionaire. The album ultimately sells more than 18 million copies, and concert sales and royalties keep the cash flowing. As Praz says later, quote, I went from being on the streets of Newark to Park Avenue overnight. During this time, Pras gains a reputation for flaunting his wealth. He lives in a $30,000 a month New York apartment and drives a Lamborghini SUV. He wears Rolexes and gold rings and always has the latest cell phone, a real status symbol in the mid-90s. His financial advisor even scolds him for going a quarter of a million dollars over budget in just two months. But unfortunately for Praz, the Fugees success is short lived. Wyclef and Lauren had been having a tumultuous, longtime affair, and the drama becomes too much. In 1997, they all start releasing solo music. A year later, Praz hits the charts with his single Ghetto Superstar featuring Maya. Sarah. Do you remember this song?

[Sarah Hagie]

Oh, my, do I remember this song?

[Sachi Kol]

It's such a good song.

[Sarah Hagie]

It's in my mind forever. I. It's like one of those songs you'll know for your whole life.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, man, it was a bop. But you know what? It's not enough to launch Praz's solo career. So a decade after the fugees gained worldwide fame, 33 year old PRAs makes a big decision. He's switching from music to movies. He'll continue to build on the Fugees legacy of socially conscious entertainment. And to do this, he'll take to the streets in a way he never has before. It's 2006 and PRAS is living on the streets of Skid Row in Los Angeles. But he isn't actually unhoused. He's doing gonzo journalism and secretly filming himself. It's all for a documentary that he hopes will foster empathy and put a spotlight on LA's housing crisis. Naturally, Pras has made himself the star. He spends nine days and nine nights on Skid Row, surrounded by addiction and in constant fear of violence. It's terrifying and emotionally exhausting. But Pras is happy. He's using his money and image for a good cause. As Pras says in the movie's trailer.

[Lauryn Hill]

I don't have a solution for this. The one thing that I would like is to at least let people know that it does exist.

[Sarah Hagie]

Skid Row, okay? You know, I don't have a lot of patience for this type of famous person who's like, I can now say something important because nobody else has done this before. And then they do it in a way where it's like just about them.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, well. After he finishes filming, Praz returns to New York and his Park Avenue apartment to relax. This is around the time that he first meets Joe at the club. But Pras isn't drawn in by Joe's excess. He's still looking for a cause he can believe in. And before long, he discovers Barack Obama. It's 2007 and a housing advocacy organization in downtown LA invites PRAs to to a rally for the presidential candidate. At the event, Pras and Obama start chatting, and Obama invites him to a Beverly Hills fundraiser hosted by a few Hollywood bigwigs, including Steven Spielberg. When Pras balks at the $40,000 ticket price, Obama says, don't worry about it. He invites Pras to come for free as his guest.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, yes. Understandable, because a disease Obama has is that he loves celebrities.

[Sachi Kol]

He really does. While Pras watches in awe as Obama charms the room and raises more than a million dollars for his campaign efforts. And Pras is inspired. He becomes a celebrity face for the campaign, helping them in any way he can. When Obama wins, becoming America's first black president, Pras feels like he was part of a powerful new movement. Six months after the election, Pras travels to Somalia to film another documentary, this time about pirates. Pras later claims he witnessed the hijacking that inspired the movie Captain Phillips and says that he was actually taken captive by pirates too. But this documentary never gets released.

[Sarah Hagie]

Wow. You know, this is really my moment to shine as a Somali host of Scamfluencers. The most ambitious type of person is someone who wants to film a documentary in Somalia because, honey, it ain't happening. Yeah, you will never get the access. You'll never meet the right people. No wonder this has not been seen. I highly doubt he was a witness to the Captain Phillips hijacking because that was a really big one.

[Sachi Kol]

It sure was. It was a major one.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah.

[Sachi Kol]

Well, predictably, Pras returns to politics, this time in his parents native country, Haiti. He supports a musician who's running for president there and films the entire campaign. The musician gets elected, but his presidency ends up being a disaster. Steeped in corruption, Pras is still hell bent on making a real difference. So he refocuses on domestic politics. Obama's about to start his re election campaign and Pras history with the candidate is going to make him a target for people looking to get into the world's most exclusive club, Obama's inner circle. In early 2012, Praz gets another call from his club promoter friend. Again, the friend is on a mission to get something for the billionaire Joe Low. But this time it's more than just a celebrity hang. Joe wants a picture with President Obama and he's wondering, can Pras help hook that up? Pras is a little taken aback by this ask. It's kind of audacious. But Pras hasn't found his next windfall. And at this point, his personal bank account has a little more than $1,300 in it. He's never forgotten Joe's outrageous spending the night they met at the club. So Pras quips he'll think about it for a million dollars. He mostly says it as a lark. But sure enough, a few days later, Pras gets word that a million dollars has been transferred to his bank account.

[Sarah Hagie]

Oh my God, that is. I bet you anything he didn't think it was gonna work out that way. Like, imagine having $1,300 and then being like, hmm, what if I say $1 million?

[Sachi Kol]

It's like rubbing a genie lamp.

[Sarah Hagie]

It's truly easier than making a wish.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, well, the problem is now Pras is on the hook to try to make this happen. And while Pras may have met Obama in the past, he has no idea how he's gonna get Joe this photo. But he starts by funneling Some of the money he received straight into Obama's campaign to grease the wheels and cozy up to Obama staffers. Now this is where Pras and the government story start to diverge. In the US it's illegal for anyone but US citizens to make political donations. And all political donations over $200 are tracked and reported to the Federal Election Commission. As a political advocate, Pras probably already knows this, but. But he later argued in court that there was one clear distinction. He wasn't spending Joe's money. He was spending the money Joe gave him, which makes it Pras's money. This might sound confusing, but it is an important distinction. The US Government later accuses Joe of giving Pras millions to influence the presidential election and that the picture was just a prop. But Joe really seems to want this photo. In June, he flies from Singapore to Miami because Pras says that he can get him into a fundraiser with Obama. But the Secret Service and Obama's campaign reject Pras's request. They can't allow a foreign national at a paid fundraiser, especially someone like Joe, whose reputation is more international party boy than political ally. So Joe flew across the world for nothing. But this doesn't stop his quest for a photo. Joe wants influence, and in his experience, the best way to get anything is with money. So he keeps throwing money at Pras, hoping he can get him his Kodak moment. During the final months of the 2012 campaign, Joe sends Pras more than $21 million. Pras never discloses this to the FEC or the IRS. Instead, he enlists 20 friends to act as straw donors and they send some of the money to Obama's re election campaign. A straw donor is basically someone you pay to donate your money so you don't have to report it. This whole process is super shady, but straw donors are not rare. Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump have all been implicated in straw donor scandals in the past. You would think that Pras would think twice before messing with the government, especially since his girl Lauryn Hill recently pled guilty to tax fraud. But apparently Pras is undeterred. Altogether, about $2 million of Joe's money makes it to Obama's fund. But despite all of the money he's given to pr, his coveted photo remains out of reach. And Joe isn't exactly known for his patience or his willingness to take no for an answer. In September 2012, a few months after his failure in Miami, Prowse lets Joe know that he's helping put together a campaign fundraising dinner in D.C. and he's pushing for Joe to have a seat at the table. But the campaign denies the request again. And now Joe is getting impatient, so he pressures Pras to at least get his father into the dinner. This request is successful. Pras happily reports back to Joe that his father got multiple photos with Obama. It's a step in the right direction, but it's not what Joe's paid for. Three days before the election, Joe throws himself a birthday party. And this is no pizza party at Chuck E. Cheese. Sarah, picture Hollywood's a list gathered in Vegas airplane hangar that's been converted into an indoor carnival complete with Ferris wheel and Kentucky Fried chicken stand. Leonardo DiCaprio raps. Britney Spears jumps out of a cake. Robert De Niro is also there for some reason. But Pras says that even with all of that going on, Joe was still focused on getting that picture with Obama. Praz later testifies that at the after party in Joe's penthouse suite, Joe was asking about it. He says they tried to have the conversation in the suite's living room, but it was a bit crowded because there was a Ferrari in the middle of it. So they moved to the balcony. So PRZ could explain how getting the photo would work and how much Joe would have to pay.

[Sarah Hagie]

You know, I am so confused here because it's like in part I understand wanting the photo, like for his own image, but also this idea that it's kind of more about I can get whatever I want and I'm going to get it. Even though it's like, you know, it should be pretty easy for a rich person to get a photo with a politician, you know.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, it must be driving him nuts, honestly.

[Sarah Hagie]

This is truly his white whale. He could have anything he wants except for this.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, I know. He can't get over it. Well, three days later, Obama wins re election and one of Pras's campaign contacts is able to bring Joe to the White House's holiday party, for which Joe coughed up an additional $20 million, this time to a campaign insider. Sarah, can you describe the photo, the legendary photo? Yes.

[Sarah Hagie]

You know, it's a photo of Barack and Michelle Obama as beautiful as they've ever looked in front of a Christmas tree. And between them is Jho Low. And he looks so happy. And then it's like a holiday card, you know, signed holidays. Barack and Michelle Obama or whatever. It's really funny because it looks like the kind of photos honestly, influencers get with the president.

[Sachi Kol]

Well, Sarah, all it took was nine months and $41 million. But finally Joe has his photo with Barack Obama. Pras has received millions of dollars from the effort and all seems well. Except behind the scenes. Multiple international Agencies are Coming for Joe. You might remember Joe from our previous episode of Scamfluencers all about his misdeeds. But in case you missed it, in 2008, Joe convinced the Prime Minister of Malaysia to set up a sovereign wealth fund called 1mdb. The billions of taxpayer dollars that made up the fund were supposed to go back into Malaysian programs and infrastructure. Instead, the Prime Minister allowed Zhou to illegally transfer the money to himself and their co conspirators. That's how Joe is footing the bill for his larger than life parties with the biggest celebrities on the planet. But Joe won't get away with ripping off all of Malaysia for long. And once he's discovered, international law enforcement agencies won't stop until they've tracked down all the stolen money, including the money now sitting in Pras pocket Ever notice how fees are just everywhere these days? From those sneaky convenience charges on concert tickets to those surprise cleaning fees on vacation rentals, it seems like everyone's got their hand out for a little extra.

[Elliot Broidy]

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[Sachi Kol]

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[Elliot Broidy]

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[Sachi Kol]

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[Jho Low]

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[Sachi Kol]

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[Elliot Broidy]

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[Sachi Kol]

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[Sarah Hagie]

You know what?

[Sachi Kol]

I will give you that.

[Elliot Broidy]

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[Sarah Hagie]

I feel like a legend.

[Sachi Kol]

It's a few years later in 2016, and FBI agent Robert Huechling has spent the last year obsessively investigating Joe. Robert's based in New York and has been overseeing a special squad focused on international corruption, money laundering and antitrust investigations. A British journalist has just uncovered the one MDB scandal and exposed how Joe and the Malaysian prime minister stole $4 billion from the people of Malaysia. And Robert has been gathering evidence to try Joe for his crimes in the US As a former naval officer officer, Robert has an eye for detail and he's been closely tracking Joe's confusing international banking moves. Now his team has enough evidence to take the case to the courts. With Robert's information, the federal courts in California demand that Joe and his co conspirators turn over $1 billion in assets. Joe owns mansions and hotels, a private jet, the music giant EMI Records, plus the government wants the rights to the movie, he bankruptcy, the Wolf of Wall street, and maybe more importantly, Joe's other film investment. Dumb and Dumber too.

[Sarah Hagie]

Oh my God.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah, I knew that one would hurt you. Well, there's only one thing standing in the way of a major victory for Robert. Joe has fled the States and no one can find him. He's an international criminal and he's already wanted by both Malaysia and Interpol. So Robert will just have to get in line. There are rumors that Joe is hiding out in China. Apparently they've offered to bail out one MDB's debts. And China must look pretty appealing to Joe because the country usually refuses to work with the US to extradite accused criminals. But Robert isn't deterred. This is just the beginning of his mission to bring Joe to justice. And while Robert waits, he'll start to look at anyone who's been in Joe's inner circle to see what they know and whether they help Joe with his sprawling scheme. A few weeks after Joe's US Assets are seized, Pras goes vacationing in cote d'. Azur. It's the summer of 2016, and he's living large on the French Riviera, trying to forget his troubles. Recently, Pras was contacted by the FEC about potentially violating campaign finance laws. They haven't formally pressed charges, but Pras is feeling the heat, and with Joe in hiding, Pras doesn't have access to his help or his money. But that's when Pras happens to run into Joe's brother Sen, who he's met a few times over the years. Sen gives PRAs Joe's new number and begs for Pras help. He claims that all the allegations against Joe are false. Joe's annoyed that his U.S. legal team is moving so slowly, and since Pras was so helpful with the Obama photo, he has a feeling Pras could help him again. Now, this is a pivotal moment for Pras. He can walk away from Joe and stay above the law from here on out. But Pras has been looking for his next big thing. The Fugees can't get a proper reunion tour off the ground. His documentaries aren't making money. He's trying to become an investor, but he doesn't have enough capital. And all the while, Joe has millions stashed in hidden foreign accounts. So Pras gets back in touch with Joe and tells him he's happy to help for a fee. Joe tells Pras his plan. He's willing to pay over $100 million to whoever can make the one MDB investigation disappear in the US and he wants new lawyers, ones who have significant pull with the US Government. This would be enough money to set Pras up for life. Even as a man with expensive taste, Pras is in. For the last year, he's been busy raising money for Hillary Clinton, who's projected to beat Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election by a landsl. Given his political history, Pras doesn't think it'll be hard to find someone in the new administration who's willing to take money to help Joe. But then Hillary doesn't win, and Pras is suddenly screwed because he has no political power with Republicans. Pras starts hunting around for GOP connections. According to the official FBI record, a friend lets him know that Trump is looking for black celebrities to come support him at his inauguration. But that is a bridge too far for Pras.

[Sarah Hagie]

It's clear to me that even if he's scared of the optics of this, like, of how it would look if he was publicly supporting Trump, this is still enough about money that he's still willing to do stuff behind the scenes, which I think is true for a lot of people.

[Sachi Kol]

Yes, exactly. Pras scours his connections and through a friend, he sets a meeting with Elliot Broidy, the Deputy Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee. Elliot is a round, smiling, mustachioed white guy who looks like a sunburned Midwestern dad. Elliot is close with Trump's Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, which means he's got just enough political power to actually pull this off for Joe. So in March 2017, Pras meets with Elliot in LA. He tells Elliot that Joe really isn't a bad guy. He just needs help dealing with this little legal issue. Elliot wants a $15 million retainer, but Pras talks him down too. 8 million, plus a $75 million success fee if Elliot can get the DOJ to drop Joe's charges and release his seized assets in the next six months. Elliot agrees to the terms as long as he isn't paid directly by Joe. So Pras offers to be the go between for the funds, making it nice and easy for him to take his cut right off the top. This seems like an easy payday for Pras, and Pras's attorney will later claim that Pras thought Elliot was a lawyer and this was all about Elliot representing Joe some way. The trio meet up in Bangkok that spring and Joe starts wiring money. In May 2017, he requests a follow up meeting with Praz and Elliot in Hong Kong. But when they arrive, Joe tells them that the meeting spot has changed and now it's in mainland China. China has a completely different visa system to Hong Kong, and Pras and Elliot don't have permission to be on the mainland. Plus, the Chinese government is known for their harsh punishments. Ignoring their laws could send Pras and Elliot to Chinese PR prison. But PRAs can't turn back now, so he assumes Joe has everything handled and proceeds to illegally cross the border. And for a moment, it seems like a bad bet. As Pras later tells Variety, Chinese Communist Party officials take their passports, blindfold them and drive them to the border like Captives. Eventually, their group is waved through the border crossing without incident. And once they're over the border, their blindfolds are removed. And that is when they see that they're at a hotel. Joe is there, and he escorts them to a suite. Praz opens the door to a thick fog of cigarette smoke. Waiting inside is Sun Li Jun, China's Vice Minister of Public Security and his heavily armed entourage. Sun has a round face, a sharp haircut, and unhappy looking eyes behind square glasses. He's also the third highest ranking official in all of the People's Republican.

[Sarah Hagie]

You know, to add a layer of how crazy this is, Praz is now in the same room as, like the Vice Minister of Public Security, a man who has secrets that all the money in the world couldn't buy. I don't know, to me it's just like, what a crazy life you must be having.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah. All of this is beyond imagination. Well, Zhou has brought Elliot and Praz here to work out a deal. The Chinese government wants the US to extradite Guo Wen Gui Gui, a wanted Chinese citizen who's been living freely in America. Guo is a Chinese billionaire wanted in his home country for corruption, bribery and rape. In exchange for Guo, China is willing to release American prisoners and potentially cooperate on cybersecurity issues.

[Sarah Hagie]

I will tell you, Saatchi, that I am very familiar with Guo Wengui, and so will you be because he gets his own story.

[Sachi Kol]

I love when the episodes talk to each other.

[Sarah Hagie]

This is a crossover.

[Sachi Kol]

I love a crossover. Well, we don't know exactly why Joe got involved in this extradition, but it's likely he just thought it would help him curry favor with the Chinese government. Either way, it seems like a reasonable trait to Elliot, who suggests that he can bring the deal to the right people in the U.S. he later says he agreed to help in part because it would be, quote, an incredible step forward in China US relationship. The only problem is Elliot has no real political authority. But he reassures sun that he can schedule a meeting for him and the US Attorney General, Jeff Sessions to discuss the matter. Son is satisfied and he lets Pras and Elliot travel safely back to Hong Kong and return home to handle their end of the deal. With this, Pras has officially crossed the line into acting as an unregistered foreign agent by secretly lobbying on behalf of behalf of a foreign government. Although the trip was terrifying, Pras later admits to Variety that as a fan of spy movies, he was excited by the situation. He says it even felt a little sexy. It's unclear if Pras is overly confident or just ignorant of the danger he's putting himself in. Regardless, with their connections, Pras and Elliot figure it shouldn't be hard to get one man extradited. But little do they know, Guo has been weaseling his way into the US New political landscape. And he is way ahead of them.

[Robert Huechling]

Work.

[Sachi Kol]

While Prowse has been cozying up to China, Guo's been infiltrating Trump's inner circle. Guo is a fit, clean cut businessman who's always rocking a perfectly tailored suit and close cropped hair. Guo might be exiled from China, but he's living large in America. Lately, he's been splitting his time between his New York penthouse and Florida's Mar A Lago, where he recently paid $200,000 to become a member. Guo is doing whatever he can to schmooze at what Trump calls the Southern White House. He's even started to attend Trump's church, likely to curry favor. But the biggest boon of all has been his fast friendship with Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon.

[Sarah Hagie]

You know, Steve Bannon is one of the OG Trump people that I really don't think is hard to access. Like, I think there are a lot of people who can find themselves becoming friends with Steve Bannon. All he does is try and find connections to people.

[Sachi Kol]

He is political. Kevin Bacon. Correct. While China paints Guo as a criminal, Guo claims to be a whistleblower being silenced by a corrupt government. Is he a victim or a criminal? That is a story for another time, which, as you mentioned, Sarah, we'll get into next week's episode all about Guo. But lately Guo's been spending his time on YouTube, calling out corruption in the Chinese government. Guo's friendships with Trump's inner circle may be helpful for him, but they create a real problem for Praz. It's going to be hard to get Republicans to turn on their new Chinese pal. And it doesn't help that China and the US historically do not get along. In May 2017, sun heads to DC for his promised meeting with Jeff Sessions. But when he arrives, Jeff isn't there. Sun is furious, so he calls Joe and tells him to fix this. And you can guess who Joe's about to call for backup. A few nights later, Praz is awoken in the middle of the night by a couple cryptic phone call. The voice on the other end tells him to meet his, quote, cousin from China at the Four Seasons in New York City. Pras rushes out of bed and leaves. He knows this is an assignment from Joe, but he has no idea what he's about to walk into. At the hotel, Praz heads to the front desk and says the code phrase he was given. Banana peel. The concierge hands Pras a note that instructs him to walk around the block twice. After he returns, he's taken to a secret elevator that's only used for people deemed assassination risks. Praz has been pampered for years now, but this security is next level. When Praz exits the elevator, he's faced with an empty suite. And while he waits nervously, he tries to convince himself he can't get murdered out of four seasons. Right? About 20 minutes later, a Chinese security agent arrives and escort escorts Pras from the suite to the penthouse. And when he walks in, another agent confiscates his cell phone. Finally, sun storms into the room, waving around a cigarette and screaming in a Chinese dialect. Sarah, will you read what the translator told Pras that Sun was yelling?

[Sarah Hagie]

Yes, he was yelling. Who the fuck do the US Government think they are? I mean, fair question, fair question.

[Sachi Kol]

I have been asking myself this for years. La Praz is completely untrained in diplomatic relationships and pretty unsure of what to do. But he knows that sun was willing to release detained U.S. citizens in exchange for Guo. So he suggests that it might work in China's favor to release one of the detainees as an act of goodwill. Sun calms down. He starts speaking in English and excuses himself to make a call to Xi Jinping, the President of the People's Republic of China. After a few minutes, sun returns and asks Praz, when do you want the citizen back again? Praz has no idea what he's doing, so he's like, I don't know, like tomorrow. They eventually settle. On the following Tuesday, sun hangs up and seems satisfied with this next move. Surely this will grease the wheels to get Guo back to China.

[Sarah Hagie]

It is, again, so crazy. Pras is tied up in this in any remote sense, but also being so close to someone who's like, okay, I'm just going to go talk to the President of China now. Like, what is this? It's gotten so intense and so geopolitical so fast.

[Sachi Kol]

Sun finally lets Pras leave the hotel, and the US citizen does actually get back home by Tuesday. But the Trump administration still won't budge on returning Guo, and Praz needs results asap, or his next meeting with Son might not end so well. Praz is smart enough to know that he is in way over his head and he needs help. But he's apparently not smart enough because he contacts the FBI directly. Soon after, Pras sits down with agents at a Manhattan restaurant and tells the truth, which is about to throw his life and US Chinese religion relations into chaos.

[Misha Brown]

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[Tatiana Siegel]

Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, there are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. From COVID experiments pushing the boundaries of science to operations so secretive they were barely whispered about each week week on Redacted Declassified Mysteries, we pull back the curtain on These hidden histories, 100% true and verifiable stories that expose the shadowy underbelly of power. Consider Operation Paperclip, where former Nazi scientists were brought to America after World War II not as prisoners but as assets to advance US intelligence during the Cold War. These aren't just old conspiracy theories they're thoroughly investigated accounts that reveal the uncomfortable truths still shaping our world today. The stories are real. The secrets are shocking. Follow Declassified Mysteries on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts you can listen to Redacted early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Sachi Kol]

Agent Robert at the FBI can't believe his luck when his co workers tell him there's been a break in locating Jho Low. This is the biggest case of his career, so he'll take any leads he can get. Robert learns that Pras recently contacted the FBI directly and told agents that he's helping his Chinese friend John get Guo extradited. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that John is just an alias from For Joe. It's unclear if Pras knows it's illegal to be an unregistered lobbyist for a foreign nation. Regardless, he's knowingly walked into the lion's den and Robert isn't letting this opportunity slip away. Robert hears that Pras is at brunch at his local haunt in Soho. So he goes to the restaurant and crashes the meal, pretending to be interested in helping Praz with Guo. Robert Hands Praz 12 Photos of Chinese officials and Praz points out the faces of son and members of a security team. Praz even admits to Robert that he met with them at the Four Seasons. Robert thanks Pras for his intel and guarantees they'll stay in touch.

[Sarah Hagie]

Oh my God, this is so messed up. Like no official statement, no lawyers, no guarantees of anything. He just straight up like, I don't understand why he would do something that stupid.

[Sachi Kol]

It's kind of his thing. SARAH well, while Pras gets little traction in his quest to get Guo extradited, Robert starts looking into Pras's finances and he finds a very dodgy trail, one that he can use. In January 2018, Robert and another FBI agent are welcomed by Pras into the fancy high rise office he uses in la. Robert cuts right to the chase. They found a money trail that leads from shady foreign accounts straight to Pras. Robert wants him to flip on Joe to save himself, but instead Pras lies. He tells them the funds are from a Thai businessman who's investing in his entertainment projects. But Robert isn't buying it. The next day, Praz is served a grand jury subpoena to turn over any documents related to Joe. And later that month, Robert thinks he's broken the case when he finally tracks down Joe's yacht in Bali. But Joe escapes to Indonesia before the effort FBI can capture him. On the bright side, Robert's able to seize the yacht, which is the final outstanding asset bought with 1mdb funds. Robert is closing in and he's sick of waiting for Joe to be in custody to take action. So in November of that year, the US government goes ahead and files a criminal indictment against Joe for laundering and embezzling billions of dollars. And since the US government can't reach Joe or his money, they decide to go after the next best Pras. That month, the government seizes $74 million of PRAS assets. If the government drains Pras resources, he's more likely to turn on Joe. But Pras isn't a snitch and he's not going to go down without a fight. It's February 2019 and Pras is panicking. The government has already taken his money and it's only a matter of time before they arrest him for his dealings with Joe. On the advice of his legal Counsel Pras starts demanding money back from all of his straw donors. He claims the money he gave them over six years ago was a loan and if they don't pay him back right away, he'll sue them. As you might expect, this doesn't go well and they don't give him any money. A few months later, in May, Pras is officially indicted on four criminal counts for illegal contributions to Obama's campaign. Pras is offered a plea deal, but he turns it down. He truly believes he didn't do anything wrong. In November, Pras is leaving his New York apartment for a first date when he's swarmed by federal agents. Robert steps out of a parked car and announces they have a search warrant to confiscate Pras phones. The government's raising the stakes against Pras, hoping he'll finally flip on Joe. But instead, Pras just turns over his phones, claiming he has no nothing to hide. The whole process takes long enough that Pras completely stands up his date with no way to contact her and explain. Pras watches as the feds come for his co conspirators, including Elliot. And unlike Pras, everyone starts pleading guilty. But Pras stays the course. He'd rather be the fall guy than be the snitch. And it's worth mentioning that while Joe's American henchmen are all fighting for their lives in the U.S. joe's living with his family in China and at one point was spotted having the time of his life at Shanghai Disneyland.

[Sarah Hagie]

I mean, I feel like Joe can't not have fun. No matter what's going on in his life, he's gonna be doing something fun. He's gonna find a way to have fun and to be seen having fun and to make people thankful that he was able to give them a fun day.

[Sachi Kol]

He's the life of the party. In June 2021, the government now led by President Joe Biden files an additional eight charges against PRAs. They're accusing him of bank fraud, witness tampering, and violating the Foreign Agents Registration act by working as an unregistered agent for the People's Republic of China. It should be noted that this act is a law enacted in the 1930s to combat Nazism and is hardly ever used. It's clear that they're throwing the book at Pras, but still he doesn't buckle. He's going to try his luck in court, and like a lot of his other decisions, it's not gonna go well. In March 2023, Pras's trial finally begins. The FBI still really wants Joe, but if they can't have him, they'll happily punish Pras in his place. Things start off rocky. Pras hires the attorney who represented the former record executive Suge Knight in his murder case. And he's not great. He has very little experience with white collar crime time and it shows. The jury is visibly bored for days until Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stand as a witness. Wanderer literally applauds and leans back in his chair. Although Leo admits to being a Fugees fan and attending a concert in the 90s, he testifies that Joe did express to him his intent to make a major donation to the Democratic Party. Praz has claimed that Joe only paid a him for a photo with Obama is getting less and less believable. To make matters worse, Pras's attorney suggests that he take the stand himself. He's not legally obligated to do it, and the lawyer only suggests it one day before Pras would be called. It's a terrible idea. But Pras follows his advice and without any real preparation, his testimony is a disaster. Putting salt in the wound. 50 Cent, my second husband posts on social media that Pras is a snitch. Sarah, can you read what 50 wrote?

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, he said, I knew this fool was a rat. I'm glad I never fuck with this guy. I mean there are probably a lot of reasons why you didn't. It's like, oh, you knew. Like no shit, he's with, he's with Joe.

[Sachi Kol]

I think 50 knows everything, but I'm.

[Sarah Hagie]

Honestly just quite shocked at the poor choices he's making throughout this trial. Generally it's like, it's actually deeply shocking.

[Sachi Kol]

Well, what's not that shocking is that after a month long trial, Pras is convicted of conspiracy, concealment of material facts, making false entries and records, witness tampering, and serving as an unregistered agent of a foreign power. He's facing up to 20 years in prison. Praz appeals on the grounds that he had a horrible attorney. And he isn't wrong. The guy allegedly used AI to draft his closing statement and he leaked confidential documents to Bloomberg. But the court denies Pras request. After the trial, Praz awaits his official sentencing at home. He's become a pariah. No bank will work with him. And he still hasn't heard from Joe, who he did all of this to protect. Since Pras's conviction, his former bandmates Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean have gone on a UK Fugees reunion tour without him. Pras is suing them for fraud and breach of contract. On the last day of his first term, Trump pardoned Elliott for his role in the Joe scheme. At that point, Elliott was already disgraced. He had to resign from his position at the RNC after it was revealed that he paid a former Playboy model $1.6 million to be silent about their extramarital affair and the abortion he pressured her to have. Jho Low is still at large and has yet to face any court of law. He's believed to be in China or Myanmar. Agent Robert Huechling has since retired from the FBI. He's now the managing director of W1 Global, a private D.C. based company focused on uncovering financial crimes. As of this recording, Pras is still awaiting sentencing. He continues to insist he's innocent, and none of this was about the money. But he still wears Cartier and Tiffany bracelets in his pricey Manhattan apartment while he awaits his punishment. There are rumors that Trump will pardon him, too. And as for what happened to Guo, well, you'll just have to tune in to next week's episode to find out. Sarah. This episode really broke me because it's just. It's. If you pause for a second and pull back, you have to be like, oh, one of the fugees was trying to do, like, a hostage negotiation. For what? For a photo with Barack Obama. Has this changed your perspective on the fugees as a whole? Because, like, Wyclef is also kind of scammy and Lauren obviously, like, has a history of not paying your taxes or showing up to the concerts that she claims to want to perform at. No, but I feel like this part was like, oh, there's a third guy and he also did scams.

[Sarah Hagie]

No, because I do think it's kind of needed with entertainers. I feel like we're losing truly messy stars. All of it was just so avoidable. But I think famous people are always getting into trouble. Sometimes we just don't know about it.

[Sachi Kol]

What kind of punishment do you think is appropriate for Praz? I mean, we talk a lot about how we don't really believe in prisons, but he's, like, on the cusp of receiving some sort of punishment. I don't think Comfortable Manhattan Penthouse is what I was thinking, but, like, what do you think it should be?

[Sarah Hagie]

I don't know what to do with people like him. I don't know. I'm just kind of like, I really don't think he's gonna do it again.

[Sachi Kol]

You know what?

[Sarah Hagie]

I think you're right.

[Sachi Kol]

I will say, of all of our scammers, I do think Pras learned a lesson, which is that he just got in way over his head. Like, I do kind of buy that he didn't really know some of these rules.

[Sarah Hagie]

I really do think he was 100% serious, being like, I didn't do anything wrong.

[Sachi Kol]

Yeah. Which is unfortunate.

[Sarah Hagie]

I think his, his biggest crime was not being curious at all about what could happen to you getting involved in something like this. He's a real danger to himself, that's for sure.

[Sachi Kol]

I'm curious if you learned any lessons, because I feel like the lesson I learned is to, like, know your strengths.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah.

[Sachi Kol]

Know your strengths when you're doing a scam. Yeah.

[Sarah Hagie]

I also think there's something to be said about if someone has a lot of money and is getting close to you, something bad is probably happening to you. It's kind of like it's okay to not be at the center of something. In fact, it's probably better.

[Sachi Kol]

Let's go listen to the Fugees now.

[Sarah Hagie]

I mean, he's probably getting a lot of money off that.

[Sachi Kol]

I hope he's getting residuals.

[Lauryn Hill]

Yeah.

[Sarah Hagie]

Big time.

[Sachi Kol]

Loving Scamflancers get exclusive episodes and early access to new ones. All ad free on Wondry Plus. Join now in the Wondry app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Before you go, help us out by taking a quick [e-mail] survey. This is Pras Michel, the Fuji Felon. I'm Sachi Kol.

[Sarah Hagie]

And I'm Sarah Hagie. If you have a tip for us on a story that you think we should cover, please email [e-mail] we use many sources in our research. A few that were particularly helpful were the Fugee, the Fugitive and the FBI.

[Elliot Broidy]

By Leopold Campbell and Cormier for Business Week.

[Sarah Hagie]

And Fugees founder Pras Michel speaks out while facing 22 years in prison. I Never Wanted to Be a Spy by Tatiana Siegel for Variety.

[Sachi Kol]

Rachel Borders wrote this episode. Additional writing by us, Sachi Cole and Sarah Aggie. Olivia Briley is our story editor. Fact checking by Kalina Newman. Sound design by John Lloyd. Additional audio assistance provided by Augustine Lim. Our music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Freeze on Sync. Our managing producer is Desi Blaylock. Our senior managing producer is Callum Plews, Janine Cornello and Stephanie Jens, our development producers. Our associate producer is Charlotte Miller. Our producer is Julie McGruder. Our senior producers are Sarah Ennie and Ginny Blume. Our executive producers are Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marshall Louie and Aaron o'. Flaherty. We're wondering.

[Callum Plews]

Every big moment starts with a big dream. But what happens when that big dream turns out to be a big flop? From Wondery and Ill Media, I'm Misha Brown and this is the Big Flop. Every week, comedians join me to chronicle the biggest flubs, fails and blunders of all time. Like Quibi, it's kind of like when.

[Sachi Kol]

You give yourself your own nickname and you try to like get other people to do it.

[Callum Plews]

And the 2019 movie adaptation of Cat.

[Sachi Kol]

Like if I'm watching the dancing and I'm noticing the feet aren't touching the.

[Tatiana Siegel]

Ground, there's something wrong with the movie.

[Callum Plews]

Find out what happens when massive hype turns into major fiasco. Enjoy the Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to the Big Flop early and ad free on Wondery Plus. Get started with your free trial at wondery.com Plus.