June 16, 2017
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio's art
possessions and films "Dumb and Dumber To" and "Daddy's Home" were made
using funds channeled from a Malaysian government investment fund,
according to US officials.
On Thursday, prosecutors here claimed that it is part of an enormous
international fraud. Corrupt officials and financiers stole $4.5
billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad between 2009 and 2015,
laundering the money through a series of shell companies with bank
accounts in the US and abroad, according to hollywoodreporter.com.
Prosecutors filed to recover $1.7 billion.
The Justice Department says millions in stolen money was funnelled
through Red Granite Pictures, a Los Angeles production company. The
government is laying claim to the movie rights from all films in
question, as well as any profits.
Additionally, gifts given to a couple of celebrities, including
high-priced paintings once owned by DiCaprio, are now possibly in the
government's possession, hollywoodreporter.com said.
Last year, a similar complaint was made in California federal court
with respect to "The Wolf of Wall Street", the Oscar-nominated film
directed by Martin Scorsese.
The film was allegedly funded with assets from a fund called 1Malaysia
Development Berdhard (1MDB), then diverted into shell companies. Some
of the money is said to have gone to Red Granite, run by CEO Riza Aziz,
the stepson of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
DiCaprio's spokesperson said in a statement: "Last July, upon hearing
of the government's civil action against certain parties involved in
the making of 'The Wolf of Wall Street', DiCaprio's representatives --
working under his instruction -- initiated contact with the Department
of Justice.
"This effort was to determine if there were any gifts or charitable
donations originating from the parties named in the civil complaint,
and to offer the return of any such gifts or donations with the aid and
instruction of the government.
"Prior to the government's filing of the civil pleading today, DiCaprio
initiated return of these items, which were received and accepted by
him for the purpose of being included in an annual charity auction to
benefit his eponymous foundation.
"He has also returned an Oscar originally won by Marlon Brando, which
was given to DiCaprio as a set gift by Red Granite to thank him for his
work on 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. DiCaprio is grateful for the support
of the government in this effort and continues to hope that justice is
done in this matter."