After coming under heavy fire, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio is now reportedly aiding the investigation into the world’s biggest embezzlement scandal involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
According to a statement from the 41-year-old’s representatives, the Oscar-winner was cooperating with US authorities to determine if money had come from questionable sources.
In addition, he will also reportedly return gifts or donations made to him or his charity foundation, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, if they were found to have come from 1MDB.
Back in September, US entertainment site The Hollywood Reporter claimed that the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has benefitted from billions of dollars allegedly siphoned off the troubled Malaysian wealth fund, which is currently being investigated on money-laundering allegations.
Also, US authorities also claimed that Red Granite Pictures — a production company founded by one of DiCaprio’s best friends Riza Aziz — used USD100mil (RM418mil) allegedly stolen from 1MDB to fund the 2013 hit film ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’, which the actor starred in.
DiCaprio’s representatives said in the statement that the actor first found out about the probe through the media back in July and he immediately got in touch with the authorities.
“He immediately had his representatives reach out to the Department of Justice to determine whether he or his foundation, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF), ever received any gifts or charitable donations directly or indirectly related to these parties, and if so, to return those gifts or donations as soon as possible.
“All contact was initiated by Mr. DiCaprio and LDF,” the statement read.
According to his representatives, DiCaprio has decided to keep mum on the matter until now “out of respect for (the) ongoing investigation, which has touched many charities, hospitals and individuals, who may have been unwitting recipients of funds now in question.”
Meanwhile, the Bruno Munser Fund — which had in August penned an open letter to DiCaprio asking him to return the ‘dirty money’ — applauded DiCaprio’s actions, but said there was more he could do, like returning the estimated USD25 million he allegedly received for his role in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’.
“While we appreciate the statement and his cooperation with the Department of Justice, there is clearly more DiCaprio could do to end this disgraceful chapter in Hollywood history,” the organisation said in a statement.
