M'sia seeks ex-Goldman banker's extradition over 1MDB scandal
Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc Southeast Asia chairman Tim Leissner had pleaded guilty to his role in the 1MDB fraud. (File pic)
PETALING JAYA : Malaysia is seeking the extradition of former Goldman Sachs partner Tim Leissner from the US over his role in the 1MDB scandal.
Citing sources and documents, the Wall Street Journal reported that Putrajaya submitted the extradition request to the US department of justice in August last year.
An Interpol red notice was subsequently issued in November, placing Leissner on alert for arrest in almost any country.
Sources also said that Malaysian authorities were pushing for his extradition before his possible return to his native Germany, where he may avoid prosecution.
The Interpol red notice alleges that Leissner violated Malaysian capital markets laws, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment upon conviction.
Leissner, who served as Goldman's Southeast Asia chairman, was a central figure in US$6.5 billion in bond deals for 1MDB between 2012 and 2013.
US prosecutors said Leissner conspired with fugitive financier Low Taek Jho and fellow Goldman banker Roger Ng to pay over US$1.6 billion in bribes to officials in Malaysia and the Middle East.
Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 to money laundering and bribery charges in the US. He admitted to receiving US$50 million to US$60 million in kickbacks and has been awaiting sentencing since then.
His sentencing, which has been postponed more than 10 times, is currently set for May 29.
Ng, who was convicted in the US and sentenced to 10 years in prison, is now in Malaysia assisting local investigators.
He is expected to testify as a defence witness in former prime minister Najib Razak's 1MDB corruption trial before being returned to US custody.
Goldman Sachs and Malaysia are currently in dispute over their 2020 settlement, where the former had agreed to pay US$2.5 billion with a guarantee to recover US$1.4 billion in assets.
Goldman Sachs filed a demand for arbitration against Malaysia in 2023, and the process is ongoing.
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