US to announce charges against former Goldman bankers for 1MDB, Jho Low

WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department is set to announce multiple criminal charges yesterday against two former Goldman Sachs bankers and Malaysian financier Jho Low tied to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund scandal, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing sources familiar with the case, the Wall Street Journal said Tim Leissner, former partner for Goldman Sachs in Asia, is expected to plead guilty to conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and will forfeit US$43.7 million (RM182.5 million).

Roger Ng, the other former Goldman banker, was arrested in Malaysia and Jho Low, last seen in China, will be indicted. He was last seen in China.

Goldman, which generated about US$600 million in fees for its work with 1MDB, has in the past repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said it is fully cooperating with authorities.

Jho Low is reported to have not given up his quest seeking immunity from the government.

According to Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin, Low tried to reach out to him only last week.

“He did not call me but he called an officer of mine last week,” Daim told Astro Awani in an interview excerpt from a special programme titled “Perspective Tun Daim” yesterday.

Daim said Low made many requests, including wanting to meet him and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“He has money, he can do anything, change his face or whatever, I don't know,” Daim was quoted as saying.

He told Astro Awani he had two requests for Low - one was for him to return to Malaysia and the other was for him to give names.

“He kept quiet. I said you cannot deliver, so why should I talk to you?” he said.