Malaysia's former first lady was charged in connection with a $4.5 billion graft scandal. Is her Hollywood producer stepson next?
After a night locked up following her arrest on Wednesday, Rosmah Mansor was charged by Malaysia anti-corruption prosecutors on Thursday, according to local media. She faces 17 counts, including money-laundering, related to what prosecutors allege is a $4.5 billion corruption scheme at state wealth fund 1MDB.
The first lady of Malaysia until her husband, Najib Razak, was voted out five months ago, Mansor has long been deeply unpopular in Malaysia for what are viewed as her profligate ways. She reportedly paid 2 million ringgit ($482,850) in bail to be released, and forfeited her passport.
Stepson Next?
Najib, who says he is innocent, has already been charged with more than two dozen counts including breach of trust, money-laundering and abuse of power. Local media speculated that following the former first couple's arrest, Riza Aziz – Mansor's son from a previous marriage and Najib's stepson – could be next.
Aziz, who settled his own skirmish with U.S. prosecutors in March, testified to Malaysian officials in July. He had spent much of his time in the U.S., where he co-founded production firm Red Granite. Real-life «Wolf of Wall Street» Jordan Belfort, the subject of the eponymous blockbuster produced by Red Granite, told finews.com last year that «it was so obvious» that firm's funding was a scam.
