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| US looks to seize $540m in 'stolen' assets from Malaysia fund 1MDB | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US authorities are moving to seize a Picasso painting, a luxury apartment in Manhattan, and the movie rights to 'Dumb and Dumber To' as part of a global money laundering investigation. | US authorities are moving to seize a Picasso painting, a luxury apartment in Manhattan, and the movie rights to 'Dumb and Dumber To' as part of a global money laundering investigation. |
| The Department of Justice alleges more than $4.5bn (£3.5bn) was stolen from Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB by public officials and their associates. | The Department of Justice alleges more than $4.5bn (£3.5bn) was stolen from Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB by public officials and their associates. |
| Their latest lawsuit is looking to recover an additional $540m in assets linked to the scandal-ridden fund. | Their latest lawsuit is looking to recover an additional $540m in assets linked to the scandal-ridden fund. |
| 1MDB routinely denies any misconduct. | 1MDB routinely denies any misconduct. |
| The case continues to place pressure on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was identified as 'Official 1' in the DoJ filings. | The case continues to place pressure on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was identified as 'Official 1' in the DoJ filings. |
| There have been large street protests in the capital Kuala Lumpur in recent years calling for Mr Najib, who used to chair 1MDB's advisory board, to step down. | There have been large street protests in the capital Kuala Lumpur in recent years calling for Mr Najib, who used to chair 1MDB's advisory board, to step down. |
| The scandal has also spawned investigations in at least five countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland. | The scandal has also spawned investigations in at least five countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland. |
| Mr Najib has consistently denied corruption allegations and an investigation by the country's attorney-general also cleared him of any wrongdoing. | Mr Najib has consistently denied corruption allegations and an investigation by the country's attorney-general also cleared him of any wrongdoing. |
| "These cases involve billions of dollars that should have been used to help the people of Malaysia, but instead was used by a small number of individuals to fuel their astonishing greed," said Sandra Brown, an acting US attorney. | "These cases involve billions of dollars that should have been used to help the people of Malaysia, but instead was used by a small number of individuals to fuel their astonishing greed," said Sandra Brown, an acting US attorney. |
| "We simply will not allow the United States to be a place where corrupt individuals can expect to hide assets and lavishly spend money that should be used for the benefit of citizens of other nations." | "We simply will not allow the United States to be a place where corrupt individuals can expect to hide assets and lavishly spend money that should be used for the benefit of citizens of other nations." |
| A press secretary for Mr Najib said in a statement that the government would co-operate with any "lawful" investigation, but stressed that the US claims remain unproven. | A press secretary for Mr Najib said in a statement that the government would co-operate with any "lawful" investigation, but stressed that the US claims remain unproven. |
| The secretary, Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin, also said there was "unnecessary and gratuitous naming" in the case. | The secretary, Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin, also said there was "unnecessary and gratuitous naming" in the case. |
| "Malaysia stands firm in its support of transparency and good governance," he said. "That includes ensuring that accusations have a basis in fact, rather than smears briefed by political opponents." | "Malaysia stands firm in its support of transparency and good governance," he said. "That includes ensuring that accusations have a basis in fact, rather than smears briefed by political opponents." |
| Where did the money go? | Where did the money go? |
| Overall, the DoJ has filed complaints to recover more than $1.7bn worth of funds allegedly pilfered from 2009 through 2015. | Overall, the DoJ has filed complaints to recover more than $1.7bn worth of funds allegedly pilfered from 2009 through 2015. |
| In court papers submitted on Thursday, prosecutors said some of the stolen money was used to buy a pink diamond necklace for Mr Najib's wife and a 300-foot luxury yacht called The Equanimity that comes with a helicopter launching pad and movie theatre. | In court papers submitted on Thursday, prosecutors said some of the stolen money was used to buy a pink diamond necklace for Mr Najib's wife and a 300-foot luxury yacht called The Equanimity that comes with a helicopter launching pad and movie theatre. |
| Stolen funds were also used to buy the Picasso painting 'Nature Morte au Crane de Taureau', which was later given to actor Leonardo DiCaprio as a birthday gift. | Stolen funds were also used to buy the Picasso painting 'Nature Morte au Crane de Taureau', which was later given to actor Leonardo DiCaprio as a birthday gift. |
| The money was also used to fund Hollywood films including 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and the Jim Carrey movie 'Dumb and Dumber To'. | The money was also used to fund Hollywood films including 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and the Jim Carrey movie 'Dumb and Dumber To'. |
| Red Granite Pictures, which financed both of those films and was founded by Mr Najib's stepson, is currently in settlement talks. | Red Granite Pictures, which financed both of those films and was founded by Mr Najib's stepson, is currently in settlement talks. |
| Attorney Jim Bates, who represents the firm, said it is "fully co-operating" and remains an active production company. | Attorney Jim Bates, who represents the firm, said it is "fully co-operating" and remains an active production company. |
| Mr DiCaprio, who starred in the Wolf of Wall Street, said last year he was co-operating with the investigation and would return any gifts tied to the fund. | Mr DiCaprio, who starred in the Wolf of Wall Street, said last year he was co-operating with the investigation and would return any gifts tied to the fund. |
| Those named in earlier complaints, including the family of Malaysian financier Jho Low, who authorities say was a key player in the affair, have fought the seizures. | Those named in earlier complaints, including the family of Malaysian financier Jho Low, who authorities say was a key player in the affair, have fought the seizures. |