Washington still considering M'sia's extradition request for Leissner

Washington is considering Malaysia’s request for the extradition of former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, who was previously sentenced to two years in prison for his central role in the 1MDB corruption scandal. 

Noting that the extradition request was submitted on Aug 14 last year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) today said the matter remains under consideration by the United States government. 

“Malaysia has also taken follow-up actions, including providing additional information requested by the US,” the AGC said in a statement.

The AGC added that it had uncovered “new information” following the repatriation of Leissner’s former colleague, Roger Ng, in 2023, soon after the latter was found guilty in the US for money laundering, which landed him a 10-year jail term. 

“Malaysia continues to seek documents that were never previously obtained and individuals, including Leissner, who have never been tried within Malaysia’s justice system,” it said. 

It stressed that to this day, Malaysia continues to suffer not only ongoing financial implications, but also irreparable losses linked with the 1MDB scandal. 

“Malaysia will not relent in securing fair and just recovery from the global banking giant and all who conspired in this criminal conduct,” the AGC affirmed.

‘Brazen, audacious’ crime

An Interpol Red Notice was reportedly issued against Leissner in November 2024, alleging that the ex-banker breached Malaysia’s capital markets regulations and could face up to 10 years’ jail if found guilty. 

In May this year, a New York court sentenced Leissner to two years in prison, with judge Margo Brodie condemning his actions as “brazen and audacious.”

The judge emphasised that while Leissner’s cooperation with authorities was acknowledged, it could not undo the extensive damage inflicted by high-level corruption spanning multiple countries.

Leissner, a former Southeast Asia chairperson for Goldman, pleaded guilty in 2018 to a conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and participating in a money laundering conspiracy, all tied to his role in the 1MDB scandal. 

After agreeing to cooperate, Leissner was allowed to remain free while assisting prosecutors by testifying against Ng.

Earlier this month, Ng failed to overturn a 2023 US court verdict that sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment for helping loot billions of dollars from 1MDB.

US jurors had earlier found him guilty of helping Leissner to embezzle money from 1MDB, launder the proceeds, and bribe government officials to win business.

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