The 'Revenant' actor has contacted the U.S. Department of Justice and promised to return any fund linked to the $3 billion money laundering scandal.
- Oct 19, 2016
AceShowbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio is cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice in the investigation of Malaysian IMDB fraud as his nonprofit foundation is linked to the scandal. While the actor remains silent on the matter, a spokesperson for the organization says they will return any fund linked to the money laundering scheme.
"Several months ago in July, Mr. DiCaprio first learned through press reports of the government's civil action against some of the parties involved in the making of The Wolf of Wall Street. 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 rep says.
Meanwhile, CNN reports that the Oscar-winning star was pressured to step down from his role in the United Nation. "Leonardo DiCaprio has consistently refused to explain his close personal and financial ties with key persons of the Malaysian 1MDB scandal," Lukas Straumann, director of the the Bruno Manser Fund, said. "This is unacceptable."
In August, Leonardo DiCaprio was forced to back out of Hillary Clinton fundraiser following his alleged involvement in the $3 billion Malaysian embezzlement scam. However, Clinton campaign spokesman Josh Schwerin said the cancellation had nothing to do with the scandal.
The actor recently stepped out on a red carpet to premiere his documentary "Before the Flood" held at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. He was joined by director Fisher Stevens and Mayor of the city of Paris Anne Hidalgo. Pregnant actress Marion Cotillard also came to the screening with her longtime partner Guillaume Canet.
