Throughout his federal conspiracy trial, Pras Michel admitted to one thing that nobody knew publicly — he was an “casual” FBI agent.
Based on a Rolling Stone article, printed final Tuesday (April 18), Pras took the stand in his personal federal conspiracy trial and revealed that he voluntarily met with FBI brokers on a number of events relating to China’s efforts to extradite a outstanding dissident. It is uncommon for defendants to testify in their very own trials, however the former Fugees member did so “after consulting with my attorneys and the universe, reported Mom Jones correspondent Dan Friedman on Twitter.
Pras is going through a number of prices, together with conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China. Prosecutors alleged the veteran rhymer was the intermediary for the alleged crimes, together with a secret lobbying marketing campaign to assist Malaysian billionaire Jho Low put stress on American justice officers and White Home officers when his fraud scheme unraveled and to assist the Chinese language authorities “safe the return” of a dissident who was residing contained in the U.S. and growing shut ties with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
Whereas on the stand, Pras addressed his alleged efforts to get the U.S. to extradite Chinese language billionaire Guo Wengui. As well as, he denied performing as an agent for China.
“I took it upon myself to report as a result of I believed the FBI ought to know,” he testified.
Earlier than his trial began, the 50-year-old artist advised Rolling Stone, “What profit would I get making an attempt to interrupt legal guidelines? It’s not price it to me. I’m like a pariah now. I’ve acquired pals who gained’t speak to me as a result of they assume there’s a satellite tv for pc in orbit listening to them.”
Upon listening to the information that Pras was performing as an off-the-cuff FBI agent, followers jumped on social media to share their ideas on the stunning revelation.
“I knew Pras was an FBI informant once I heard him say “beedee bee beedee bee beedee beebo” on a monitor and he by no means acquired arrested as soon as,” tweeted one particular person.
One other fan surmised that Pras might not be the one opp within the rap recreation.
“If Pras from the legendary Fugees is an FBI informant, what number of extra rappers are secretly within the FBI?” the fan questioned.
One other commenter wrote: “Pras was an FBI informant, Ghetto Celebrity gained’t hit the identical for me.”
If convicted, Pras faces 22 years in jail. On Monday (April 24), the conspiracy case went to the jury for deliberations.
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