|
 The film's producer, Red Granite Pictures, co-founded by the
Malaysian prime minister's stepson, announced last September
that it had "reached a settlement in principle" with the U.S.
government, but did not reveal any sum at the time.
According to a filing in a California court on Wednesday, the
company also settled claims against its rights and interests in
two other films, "Daddy's Home" and "Dumb and Dumber To".
"We are glad to finally put this matter behind us and look
forward to refocusing all of our attention back on our film
business," Red Granite said in a statement on the filing.
U.S prosecutors, pursuing their biggest kleptocracy asset
recovery initiative, had claimed the three films were financed
by Red Granite using money misappropriated from 1Malaysia
Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded in 2009 by
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
While Najib has not been the subject of any of the lawsuits, a
number of his close associates, including stepson Riza Aziz,
have been named by U.S. investigators.
Najib and Riza have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Malaysian prime minister's office did not respond to an
emailed request from Reuters for comment.
Wednesday's filing said Red Granite would pay the government in
three instalments: $30 million within 30 days, $20 million
within the next 180 days, and the final $10 million within 180
days after that.
[to top of second column] |
Film studio Paramount Pictures, which has held profits from "Daddy's
Home" while the case was pending, would release the funds to a
government-controlled account.
The forfeiture suit was part of a broader U.S. action to seize some
$1.7 billion in assets allegedly bought with funds misappropriated
from 1MDB.
The U.S. prosecutors had asked for the civil forfeiture suits to be
put on hold last year while they pursued a criminal investigation.
Last week, the Justice Department asked a court to lift the stay so
that the settlement could be reached.
Under the terms of the settlement, Riza will draw no salary from Red
Granite during the payment period, other than what is needed to
maintain health insurance coverage.
The settlement also stipulates that the payment should not be
construed as "an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of
Red Granite".
The U.S. lawsuits have also sought to seize a $3.2-million Picasso
painting, allegedly bought from 1MDB funds and gifted to Hollywood
actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the star of The Wolf of Wall Street.
DiCaprio has since turned over the painting to U.S. authorities.
(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
