PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will make an application to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to obtain information from former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Tim Leissner for its investigation into Datuk Rohana Rozhan.
Quoting sources, Berita Harian reported that this was to assist the MACC investigation into the former Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd group chief executive officer.
On Tuesday, Leissner testified that he had gifted a US$10mil house in London to a media CEO, whom he claimed he had an affair with.
He claimed that she had coerced him into buying her the house and had threatened to expose his involvement in 1MDB.
The relationship lasted from 2003 to 2013, he told the jury.
He made the allegations while testifying at a US federal court in the trial of his former colleague, Malaysian Roger Ng, who is accused of conspiring to launder money and to violate an anti-bribery law involving 1MDB funds.
MACC sources said that an application would be submitted to the US DOJ to obtain more information on Leissner’s allegations.
It was reported that Leissner made the claim when asked about it by prosecutor Drew Rolle.
Their 10-year relationship ended when Leissner married celebrity Kimora Lee Simmons.
Leissner also admitted that he bought her a house in 2013 after Rohana threatened to reveal her involvement in 1MDB.
Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 to his involvement in violations of US anti-corruption laws and money laundering conspiracies.
Meanwhile, a source also informed Berita Harian that the MACC is reviewing the interview with Rohana, who was called to the MACC headquarters recently.
“Currently, no other individual has been called to testify regarding the investigation into the case,” he said.
It is learnt that the case was being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
Following the investigation, the MACC issued an order to freeze Rohana’s assets and bank accounts in accordance with Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001.
The freezing order prohibits Rohana from conducting any transactions involving her house and bank account in the United Kingdom.
On Friday (Feb 25), Rohana issued a brief statement through law firm Messrs Valen, Oh & Partners.
“I refer to allegations appearing in the media about me. I’ve attended the offices of MACC and given them my full cooperation in their investigations,” she said.
The media statement was signed by Rohana and her lawyer M. Puravalen.
Source: The Star
