Pras May Be On The Hook For Almost $65M As Feds Ask Judge For Forfeiture Order

Pras is scheduled to be sentenced next month after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy charges, and is facing up to life in prison — but he’s got even more problems than that, as this week the government is coming after him for almost $65 million.

On Thursday (December 19), federal prosecutors filed a motion for an order of forfeiture. In it, they ask the case’s judge to impose a judgment against the Fugees member in the amount of $64,923,226.40.

The amount stems from what the feds say is a total payment of $104.24M from Malaysian businessman Jho Low to Pras as part of several “schemes” intended to influence government officials to end an investigation into whether Low embezzled from the investment fund 1MDB, as well as to send a Chinese national back to China. Around $37M of that total was dealt with in a related 2018 case, so the nearly $65M mentioned in the new document is the amount left over.

There is no word yet on whether the case’s judge will approve the feds’ request for the forfeiture.

Pras’ sentencing will take place on January 29. Prosecutors are asking for an “extended, significant” prison sentence, per their sentencing memo. Pras is asking for 36 months of incarceration and two years of supervised release.

As he awaits sentencing, the rapper appears to be fully distancing himself from The Fugees.

Speaking to Variety last month, Pras addressed the friends he has said abandoned him amid his legal troubles, and though he doesn’t name Wyclef Jean or Ms. Lauryn Hill, it’s pretty evident he’s discussing his former groupmates.

“I’m done with that. They’re going to Europe [to tour]. I can’t go, so,” he said. “It’s what it is. You can’t give people that kind of energy. So you could be frustrated, you could be disappointed, but I really believe in my path and in my journey, and I believe what’s mine, no one’s going to be able to take it away from me.

related news

Pras’ Attempt To Get A New Trial Denied By Judge Despite Lawyer’s Use Of AI

September 2, 2024

“So it’s better that you have a small group of people who really believe in you and believe in what you’re doing than to have 100 people around you, and the minute something happens — boom. People just disappear.”

His stance was made quite clear in a lawsuit in October as well, when Pras sued Lauryn for alleged fraud and breach of contract over their canceled reunion tour.

The suit accuses Hill of fraud, fraud in the inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, accounting and refusal to permit an audit of the Fugees’ tour, among other things.