PETALING JAYA: Convicted financier Tim Leissner (pic) is being pursued by Malaysian authorities for extradition due to his involvement in the 1MDB scandal, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The WSJ said Malaysian authorities submitted an extradition request to the US Justice Department in August 2024, and Interpol issued a red notice for the former Goldman Sachs partner in November.
Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 in the US to conspiring to launder money and paying bribes, admitting that he and his family received substantial kickbacks.
"He is currently awaiting sentencing in the US, scheduled for May 29," said the WSJ.
The report said Malaysian authorities are concerned he might flee to his birthplace, Germany, creating extradition issues.
It added that Malaysia is continuing to investigate the case with help from Leissner's former deputy, Roger Ng, who returned to Malaysia after his US conviction.