In one of the strangest media crossover events so far this year, Leonardo DiCaprio testified against Pras Michel in the latter's ongoing conspiracy trial. Moreover, the former Fugees member stands accused of collaborating with Malaysian businessman Jho Low to illegally finance Obama's 2012 presidential campaign, embezzle billions from the Malaysian government, and more. During his testimony, the silver screen star went over his relationship with Low in interesting detail. While Pras pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, Leo is not criminally involved in this case.
Instead, prosecutors likely used him as an example of Low coercing influential people in the States and seeking favor with them for his own personal gain. Before anyone starts speculating, DiCaprio's testimony does not incriminate him or his collaborators in any way. In the hour-long testimony, the Inception actor said he became friends with Low upon meeting at a birthday party in 2010. Two years later, Low allegedly told him about his plan to donate between $20 million and $30 million to the Democratic Party throughout the 2012 presidential election.
Leonardo DiCaprio & Pras Michel On Opposite Sides Of Courtroom
Not only that, but prosecutors maintain that Low used a film production company called Red Granite Pictures to launder his embezzled money. Furthermore, this relates to Leo because, apparently, they offered to finance his flick The Wolf Of Wall Street. Before accepting, the actor's legal team and third party collaborators ran financial background checks on the production company. Surprisingly (and clearly incorrectly), everything seemed normal. What's more is that the 48-year-old even thanked Low during his Golden Globes acceptance speech for Best Actor for his role in the film.
Meanwhile, Leo said that he met Pras once or twice. The first time was during a Fugees concert in the '90s, whereas he hazily remembered interacting with him on another occasion at DiCaprio's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Funnily enough, the actor recently hung out with Q-Tip courtside at a basketball game, so his hip-hop roots run deep. Regardless, the rapper stands accused of making illegal campaign contributions with Low in 2012, failing to register as an agent of China's government, and witness tampering. With all that in mind, log back into HNHH for the latest on Leonardo DiCaprio and Pras Michel.