Fugees star says money from Malaysian financier was for Obama photo

Rapper Prakazrel “Pras Michel” of the Fugees, testifying in his own defense on Tuesday, said he received $20 million from Malaysian financier Jho Low to help him get a photo with former President Barack Obama.
Michel faces criminal conspiracy, foreign lobbying and campaign finance charges for allegedly plotting with Low to attempt to influence the administrations of Obama and former President Donald Trump.
Before a jury in Washington, the Grammy winner said Low, who is now a fugitive accused of embezzling $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund, did not direct him to make campaign donations with the money for the photo.
Michel said he used some of the funds for three friends to attend $40,000-a-plate fundraisers for Obama. Michel said he did not know it was improper to do this.
It is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. election campaigns, and it is also against the law to pay someone else to make a campaign contribution. Michel is accused of involvement with Low in three schemes, for which prosecutors say he was paid millions of dollars.