Former Fugees member Pras Michel takes the stand in conspiracy trial

WASHINGTON — Rapper and producer Pras Michel, who has been accused of conspiring to make illegal campaign contributions and failing to register as an agent of China, took the stand in his own defense Tuesday morning in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom. 

Michel, best known as a member of the ’90s hip-hop group Fugees, told jurors that he accepted about $20 million in 2012 from a Malaysian businessman who wanted his photo taken with President Barack Obama but that the large amounts were never intended as illegal foreign campaign contributions or as payment for Michel’s services.