In the latest development in the 1MDB scandal, a US judge has ordered ex-Goldman banker Tim Leissner to forfeit millions of dollars in cash and shares as part of his guilty plea.
Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner has been ordered to forfeit $43.7 million in cash as well as 3.3 million shares in fitness drink company Celsius, according to a «Bloomberg» report citing a ruling by US District Judge Margo Brodie.
The order to forfeit assets is part of Leissner’s guilty plea to 1MDB-related bribery and money-laundering charges in August 2018.
Celsius Dispute
In November 2022, Roger Ng – the only Goldman banker to stand trial over the 1MDB scandal with Leisnner as the key government witness – sued his ex-colleague and boss over alleged theft that includes a $1.25 million Celsius stake now worth more than US$130 million.
Brodie said that the shares were being held in a JPMorgan Chase account under the name of Leissner’s former wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, and that anyone who asserts a legal interest may file a petition with the court.
Separately, Ng is scheduled to be sentenced on March 9 over three 1MDB-linked felony counts related to the violation of US anti-bribery and money-laundering laws.
