1MDB scandal: stepson of Malaysia’s disgraced ex-leader Najib charged for laundering US$200 million

Riza Aziz, co-founder of US film company that made The Wolf of Wall Street, faced court after being detained by Malaysia’s anti-corruption watchdog

He is alleged to have laundered millions from the state fund in Singapore and Los Angeles between 2011 and 2012

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Riza Aziz, stepson of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, arrives at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:04am, 5 Jul 2019Updated: 9:42pm, 5 Jul 2019

Riza Aziz, the stepson of disgraced Malaysian ex-premier Najib Razak, has been charged over money-laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad global corruption scandal that saw billions siphoned out of the state wealth fund by his stepfather.

Five charges against Riza were read out in court on Friday. The alleged offences took place in Singapore and Los Angeles between 2011 and 2012, involving sums amounting to more than US$245 million.

The 43-year-old pleaded not guilty to all charges, and bail was set at 1 million ringgit (US$241,835)

Riza, a film producer and co-founder of US production company Red Granite Pictures, which made the Leonardo DiCaprio blockbuster Wolf of Wall Street, was detained on Thursday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with the 1MDB case.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya. Photo: Reuters

Malaysian officials have been furiously working to reclaim the stolen 1MDB funds, with about US$322 million so far returned.