Disbarment Looms for Former DOJ Lawyer Linked to Major International Scandal
April 17, 2025, 3:07 pm CDT
Prakazrel “Pras” Michel at a press conference in Erbil, Iraq, July 2015. (Photo by Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
George A. Higginbotham, a former lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is facing the possibility of disbarment after pleading guilty to involvement in an intricate scheme to influence U.S. policy through deceptive practices. This scheme links back to his association with hip-hop artist Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
Details of the Case
Higginbotham, who served as a senior congressional affairs specialist at the DOJ, was found to have prepared fraudulent documents that masked the origins of millions of dollars. These funds were allegedly intended to lobby the U.S. government for the extradition of a political dissident to China and to mitigate inquiries into a foreign national associated with a vast embezzlement operation tied to Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Legal Consequences
In November 2018, Higginbotham pleaded guilty to conspiracy for making false statements to a bank. Although he was sentenced to probation in November 2023 and required to forfeit $70,000—reflecting the fees he earned from his involvement—he ultimately faced no direct influence over the DOJ’s investigations related to 1MDB, the investment fund in question.
Remarks from the Court
The Appellate Division’s Second Judicial Department of the New York Supreme Court underscored Higginbotham’s misconduct, describing it as an entanglement in “one of the largest kleptocracy schemes in history.” The court firmly stated, “Anything less than a disbarment is unwarranted.”
Related Individuals and Outcomes
Prakazrel Michel, who had enlisted Higginbotham’s assistance, was convicted in April 2023 for running a campaign utilizing straw donors. His dealings were intertwined with Jho Low, the Malaysian financier at the center of this multimillion-dollar debacle, who was sentenced in absentia to ten years in a Kuwaiti prison in March 2023.
Implications for the Legal Profession
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ethical obligations attorneys have in safeguarding the integrity of their profession. The legal ramifications for Higginbotham not only affect his personal career but also highlight the larger issues of accountability within the legal framework regarding foreign influence and corruption.
For further developments, continue following updates as this situation evolves.
