Ex-Goldman Sachs Banker Fails in Fourth Attempt to Delay Prison Sentence

• Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner has once again failed in his efforts to postpone the start of his prison term, marking the fourth attempt to delay his sentence.
• According to Global Investigations Review, Leissner sought an additional postponement, citing two primary concerns: ongoing immigration proceedings and fears for his personal safety stemming from his extensive cooperation with U.S. authorities in the 1MDB corruption investigation. [globalinve…review.com]

A Central Figure in the 1MDB Scandal

• Leissner, formerly Goldman’s Southeast Asia chairman, played a pivotal role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB fraud, one of the largest financial scandals in modern history. His testimony was instrumental in prosecuting other players, including fellow banker Roger Ng.
• His cooperation made him a key witness in the U.S. government’s case, but it also heightened his concerns about the risks he faces in custody. [globalinve…review.com]

Court Rejects His Bid

• Despite his previous successful attempts to delay reporting to prison, the court has now rejected his latest plea. Reports from Free Malaysia Today indicate that Leissner ultimately surrendered to a federal correctional facility to begin serving his two-year sentence following the court’s refusal to grant further postponement. [freemalays…atoday.com]

A Long Legal Road

• Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges related to foreign bribery and money laundering connected to 1MDB. U.S. and Malaysian authorities stated that at least $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund, with Leissner personally admitting to receiving tens of millions in illicit proceeds.
• His cooperation earned him some leniency, but the gravity of the scandal and the scale of the financial misconduct continued to weigh heavily during sentencing. [cnbc.com]

International Scrutiny

• The 1MDB saga led to global repercussions, including significant legal and financial fallout for Goldman Sachs and political upheaval in Malaysia.
• Several ministries in Malaysia have expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived leniency of Leissner’s two-year sentence, calling it inadequate given his role in facilitating the fraud. [usnews.com]

Sources

• Global Investigations Review – “Tim Leissner loses bid to delay prison” [globalinve…review.com]
• Free Malaysia Today – “Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Leissner goes to prison in 1MDB fraud” [freemalays…atoday.com]
• CNBC – “Ex-Goldman banker Leissner sentenced to two years in prison in 1MDB case” [cnbc.com]
• US News / Reuters – “Two-Year Prison Sentence for Ex-Goldman Banker Leissner in 1MDB Case ‘Too Short’” [usnews.com]