U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly dismissed a request for a new trial in a high-profile political conspiracy case involving Prakazrel “Pras” Michel from the Fugees. The judge determined that using a generative AI program during closing arguments and other mistakes during the trial in Washington D.C. did not constitute a significant miscarriage of justice. Michel, a Grammy-winning rapper, was convicted on 10 charges in a case where witnesses included actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He potentially faces up to 20 years in prison for the most severe offenses but remains free until the sentencing, which is pending.
The allegations against Michel involved funneling funds from a now-missing Malaysian financier through straw donors to support Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. He was also accused of attempting to hinder a Justice Department probe and influence an extradition case for China during the Trump administration. Michel’s defense contended that he received poor guidance while navigating his way in the political realm and trying to establish a new identity.
David Kenner, Michel’s previous defense attorney, who has represented other prominent rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to disclosing grand jury information to journalists. Michel enlisted a new attorney who criticized Kenner’s handling of the case, particularly the use of an “experimental” generative AI program that incorrectly referenced a lyric from Michel’s influential 1990s music group during closing arguments. However, Judge Kollar-Kotelly concluded that despite some acknowledged errors in the defense, they did not overshadow the extensive evidence presented by prosecutors or compromise the fairness of the nearly month-long trial.
A spokesperson for Michel did not immediately provide a response following the judge’s decision.
