Pras from the Fugees has been forced to undergo emergency surgery for colon cancer, causing a delay in his sentencing after being convicted on conspiracy charges.
According to legal team, who said in a statement: “Pras was unable to attend his scheduled sentencing hearing on Friday due to emergency medical surgery to remove cancer from his colon. We wish him a complete and speedy recovery as he navigates both his legal matters and his health journey.”
It was not previously revealed that the Fugees rapper had been diagnosed with cancer. No further details about Pras’ condition have yet been made public.
Due to the surgery, the date for his sentencing has been moved to October 3. It was originally set to take place last month.
Pras faces up to 22 years behind bars after being convicted in his conspiracy trial of charges such as failing to register as an agent of China.
The U.S. government is also coming after him for almost $65 million.
In December, federal prosecutors filed a motion for an order of forfeiture, seeking a judgment against the Fugees member for the amount of $64,923,226.40.
The figure stems from what the feds say is a total payment of $104.24 million from Malaysian businessman Jho Low to Pras as part of several “schemes” intended to influence government officials to end an investigation into whether Low embezzled from the investment fund 1MDB, as well as to send a Chinese national back to China.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Donald Trump is considering commuting Pras’ possibly lengthy sentence.
Trump has not yet publicly commented on Pras’ case, but the rapper’s publicist said his legal team “is exploring all available options following his case” and “remain optimistic about potential paths forward.”
Pras and Trump have something of a relationship going back almost 30 years.
Trump, then a renowned property tycoon, appeared on Pras’ debut album Ghetto Supastar in the form of a voicemail.
“1st Phone Interlude” found the future president saying: “I have no doubt that you’re going to be a big success. To now, after knowing you, I know that you’re going to be right up there. And I hope very soon you’re going to be in the leagues with me. So good luck, man.”
