Hours after the US Justice Department filed civil suits related to 1MDB funds and future profits for the 2013 movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street', its lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio hosted a star-studded charity gala in St Tropez, France.
However, the New York Post, quoting sources, claimed that the Hollywood star's close friend, Malaysian-born tycoon Jho Low, was not present.
In an article titled 'Leo DiCaprio parties as feds go after 'Wolf of Wall Street' profits', the publication said Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho, had been a key donor to DiCaprio's personal foundation.
At its third annual fund-raiser on Wednesday night, DiCaprio's foundation, which focuses on environmental causes, raised a whopping US$45 million.
"At last year's bash, Low donated a Roy Lichtenstein sculpture that was auctioned off, and in 2013, Page Six revealed that he was among the DiCaprio buddies who paid extra for bottles of Champagne at the actor's 39th birthday party at Tao Downtown.
"The mark-ups on the booze helped raise US$3 million for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation," said the report.
Low, who was one of those mentioned in the DOJ suits, is known to be close to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's family, especially his stepson Riza Aziz.
Riza's production firm Red Granite had been accused of using 1MDB funds for the making of 'The Wolf of Wall Street'.
US entertainment publications also focussed on DiCaprio being dragged into the 1MDB saga.
"Coincidence or not, DiCaprio is now in an awkward and potentially legally-perilous situation," said the Hollywood Reporter.
"Low and DiCaprio would attend each other's birthday parties. Low's was a notorious multi-million dollar 30th bash in Vegas in 2012, where DiCaprio reportedly rapped onstage with Busta Rhymes. DiCaprio celebrated his 39th birthday the following year at Tao Downtown, where Low was reportedly among the big spenders.
"As a gift, Low bought DiCaprio the best actor Oscar statuette Marlon Brando won in 1955 for On the Waterfront, reported to have cost some US$600,000," it added.
