Actor Leonardo DiCaprio appeared in federal court in Washington on Monday to give a witness statement in rap star Prakazrel "Pras" Michel's case. Michel is a member of the hip-hop band "The Fugees" and is alleged of using millions of dollars in financial fraud to petition the U.S. government representing a Malaysian founder and the Chinese government.
One of the most famous persons, the "Titanic" actor" is connected to banker Jho Low, who is convicted of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia's 1MDB state investment fund.
According to reports, Low gave DiCaprio a Picasso artwork and was notorious for paying A-listers to attend his parties. He has been helping with the investigation being conducted by the US government.
Movie star Leonardo DiCaprio testifies as part of a trial involving international money laundering, bribery and a prominent rap artist https://t.co/ScYNyq3qds
— Bloomberg (@business) April 4, 2023
Michel is charged with making money off of Low's suspected money laundering plan as well as a Chinese government persuasion operation intended to bring back dissident Guo Wengui.
For what the prosecution claims were three distinct lobbying efforts to sway the governments of former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Michel is charged with 11 criminal charges. Michel has refuted the charges.
With their most popular album, "The Score," released in 1996, The Fugees received two Grammy Awards. Prosecutors claimed that by 2012, Michel was in desperate need of money.
According to the prosecution, Michel promised to conceal the source of funds and channel around $2 million from Low into Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. Foreign citizens are not allowed to contribute to American elections under federal election law.
Furthermore, as per the prosecution, Michel ran an illegal lobbying operation to get the Trump government to drop its inquiry into Low.
Michel and other accomplices are also charged with pressuring the Trump administration to send Guo back to China at Beijing's request.
According to the prosecution, Michel received $70 million for his efforts.
Michel's attorney stated he didn't realise he was operating as a foreign agent and thought he was advancing American concerns.