Fugees rapper Pras Michel had emergency surgery for colon cancer removal on Thursday (Aug. 28), postponing a key court hearing following his conviction on illegal foreign lobbying and conspiracy charges.
Michel was originally due in court Friday (Aug. 29) for a hearing over how much money he must forfeit to the government over the 2023 convictions. But in a filing last month, his lawyers said he had “experienced a significant medical concern” that would prevent him from appearing.
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In a statement to Billboard on Monday, Michel’s spokeswoman Erica Dumas revealed why: Doctors had discovered colon cancer in Michel during a routine checkup.
“Pras missed Friday’s sentencing hearing while undergoing emergency surgery for colon cancer removal,” Dumas said. “We stand with him and his family and wish him a full recovery as he addresses this serious health matter.”
The artist is “recovering right now until he is in the clear and focused on spending time with his family ahead of sentencing,” Dumas said, adding, “He still remains hopeful for his future.”
Comprised of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Michel, the Fugees rose to fame in the 1990s with hits like “Killing Me Softly,” “Ready or Not,” and “Fu-Gee-La.” After splitting up in 1998, the three each had successful solo careers and mostly stayed separate until recent years, when they have attempted multiple reunion tours.
In 2019, Michel was hit with sweeping federal criminal charges over accusations that he funneled money from now-fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, the mastermind of the 1MDB embezzlement scandal, to Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. Michel was also accused of trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation into the scheme, and of trying influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.
In April 2023, following a trial that included testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Michel was convicted on 10 counts including conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China.
Prosecutors are seeking a decades-long prison sentence, arguing starkly that Michel “betrayed his country for money.” His lawyers have asked for a far lighter sentence of 36 months, which they say would be a “just sentence in this case.” A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The hearing initially scheduled for Friday was to decide forfeiture — the process of turning over ill-gotten gains after a criminal convictions. The federal government is seeking a whopping $64,923,226 from Pras; his lawyers have called that sum “grossly disproportionate to the offenses of conviction.”
Federal prosecutors consented to the postponement of Friday’s hearing over Michel’s health issues. A new date is scheduled for Oct. 3.
