Fugees Rapper Pras Michel’s Sentencing Delayed After Emergency Surgery for Colon Cancer

Pras Michel of the Fugees arrives at U.S. District Court on April 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: TASOS KATOPODIS/GETTY IMAGES)

Fugees rapper Pras Michel trial has been delayed after the rapper recently underwent emergency surgery after experiencing a "medical concern," which forced him to miss a scheduled sentencing hearing. Michel was set to appear in court on Friday, Aug. 29 to discuss how much money he would need to forfeit after being found guilty in 2023 of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, according to Billboard. However, his lawyers said in an August filing, obtained by the outlet, that the rapper would be unable to appear at the hearing as he had “experienced a significant medical concern.”

“Pras missed Friday’s sentencing hearing while undergoing emergency surgery for colon cancer removal,” the rapper's spokesperson, Erica Dumas, said in a statement, per Billboard. “We stand with him and his family and wish him a full recovery as he addresses this serious health matter.”

Michel hit legal troubles after being convicted of attempting to influence President Donald Trump’s administration officials to drop an investigation into Malaysian businessman Jho Low. Jho Low is an international fugitive accused of embezzling money from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

In addition to serving time in prison, he is required to forfeit a sum of money to the federal government. According to Billboard, the federal government is seeking nearly $65 million from Michel. Michel’s next sentencing hearing date has been scheduled for Oct. 3.