Former president Donald Trump is considering pardoning Pras Michel, a founding member of The Fugees, who faces 22 years in prison for his involvement in the 1MDB scandal.

Photo Credit: Pras Michel for Miami Film Festival / CC by 2.0

Michel was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. These charges stem from his connection to Jho Low, who allegedly defrauded Malaysia's 1MDB sovereign wealth fund in what the FBI called the "largest kleptocracy case to date."

The potential pardon appears motivated by Trump's conflicts with the Justice Department, particularly following the resignation of Corey Amundson, who led Michel's prosecution. Amundson stepped down after facing pressure from the Trump administration over his involvement in Trump-related investigations.

Trump and Michel share a surprising historical connection. In 1998, Trump made a cameo on Michel's solo album "Ghetto Supastar," leaving a voicemail message expressing confidence in Michel's future success.

Michel's legal team, led by Adam Katz (who previously represented Rudy Giuliani), is "exploring all available options" according to his publicist, Erica Dumas. The appeal focuses partly on alleged incompetence by Michel's trial attorney, who notably misused AI during closing arguments.

The 1MDB scandal's reach extends beyond Michel, involving various high-profile figures including a Malaysian prime minister, Goldman Sachs executives, and even connecting to actor Leonardo DiCaprio through Jho Low's social circles.

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