WASHINGTON: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio told a Washington jury on Monday that Malaysian financier Jho Low revealed his plans to donate up to $30 million to help U.S. President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign in what prosecutors allege was part of an illegal foreign influence operation.
"It was a casual conversation about what party he was in support of," DiCaprio said, telling jurors that Low said he planned on giving "a significant donation" to the Democratic Party that was "somewhere to the tune of $20-30 million."
"I basically said, 'Wow, that's a lot of money,'" DiCaprio added.
The "Titanic" star took the witness stand in the trial of Prakazrel "Pras" Michel of the Fugees hip-hop group, who faces criminal charges for his alleged role in a foreign influence campaign aimed at the administrations of Obama and Donald Trump. Michel has denied the allegations.
DiCaprio is one of several prominent figures linked to Low, a fugitive who is facing separate federal criminal charges for allegedly embezzling $4.5 billion from Malaysia's 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.
The financier, who was known to pay Hollywood celebrities to party with him, supported DiCaprio's charitable foundation and helped fund "The Wolf of Wall Street," the 2013 movie in which DiCaprio starred and was nominated for an Oscar.
The Justice Department in 2018 reached a civil settlement with the film's production company, which forfeited $60 million that was believed to have been stolen from 1MDB.
Since then, DiCaprio has been cooperating with the U.S. government.
He managed to enter and leave the courthouse on Monday without being spotted by news crews who had been staking out his arrival.
Prosecutors claim Michel agreed to funnel money from Low into Obama's 2012 campaign and hide the source of the funds. Federal election law prohibits foreigners from donating to U.S. campaigns.
They say he later worked behind the scenes with others to try to persuade the Trump administration to stop investigating Low, and also acted as a foreign agent of China to persuade the administration to agree to repatriate dissident Guo Wengui.
DiCaprio on Monday told jurors he has known Michel since at least the 1990s, when he met the Fugees backstage.
The bulk of his testimony centered on his relationship with Low, who threw lavish parties on boats and at nightclubs that featured Hollywood stars.
DiCaprio said he flew on Low's private jet with a large group one New Year's Eve between Australia and Las Vegas, in what he said was Low's goal of celebrating New Year's twice in one night.
He drew laughter in the courtroom, as Michel's attorney asked him whether Low achieved his objective.
"It depends on how you look at it," DiCaprio said.
DiCaprio said when he first met Low around 2010, he viewed him as a "sort of a prodigy in the business world."
DiCaprio said his own legal team, an outside firm and the studios conducted three separate due diligence probes before reaching a deal with Low to finance "The Wolf of Wall Street."
"I was given a green light from my team, as well as the studios, to accept financing from Mr. Low," he said.
Reuters
Tue Apr 04 2023
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of several prominent figures linked to Jho Low, a fugitive who is facing separate federal criminal charges for allegedly embezzling $4.5 billion from Malaysia's 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. - AP/Filepic
Floods in Sabah, Sarawak: PM orders NADMA to strengthen federal, state response machinery
PM says the primary focus at this moment is the welfare of flood victims and ensuring the safety of people in the affected areas.
Millions of Hindus take "holy dip" a day after fatal stampede
Devotees take daily 'holy dips,' but on certain dates, "royal" dips are deemed more sacred, drawing larger crowds.
Trump orders agencies to scrub 'gender ideology' from contracts, websites
Federal agencies are required to "recognise women are biologically female, and men are biologically male."
US figure skaters were on board plane that crashed into Potomac River
US Figure Skating said athletes, coaches, and families returning from the National Development Camp were aboard the flight.
Disaster relief assets deployed to flood-affected areas in Sarawak - Ahmad Zahid
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that, so far, more than 50 relief centres have been activated to house flood victims in the state.
Air traffic controller audio captures moments before and after Washington plane crash
The crash caught on a webcam, shows the aircraft exploding in flames and plummeting to earth after it was struck by the helicopter.
Scores feared dead in Washington after jet collides with helicopter, crashes into river
Officials gave no death toll, but Senator Roger Marshall said most, if not all, aboard the Kansas-origin flight likely died in the crash.
Tiong: Additional personnel mobilised to assist in Bintulu disaster relief efforts
Without specifying the exact number, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the personnel are expected to arrive tomorrow.
Palestinian forces begin handover of three Israeli hostages in latest stage of ceasefire deal
Palestinian forces handed over three Israeli hostages in Gaza for 110 Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire deal on Thursday.
Landslide cuts off Kanowit-Song access - Nanta Linggi
Jalan Song/Sipan-Temalat has been closed to all vehicles today following a landslide that cut off access between Kanowit and Song,
What caused the stampede at India's Maha Kumbh festival that killed dozens?
Here are some details about the incident and the situation on the ground.
Rashford must change if he wants Man United return, says Amorim
Marcus Rashford has not played for United since last month, after he admitted he was ready for a new challenge in his career.
How transgender troops prepared to fight Trump's new policy
Advocates argue the executive order stigmatises transgender service members by labeling them medically and morally unfit.
India orders probe into Kumbh festival stampede that killed dozens
The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done, says Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail calls for mindset change to solve persistent issues in M-League
Tunku Mahkota Ismail also addressed other concerns about late salary payments and some team management's neglect of their clubs' welfare.
What were the aircraft involved in midair crash in Washington DC?
Air traffic control recordings appear to capture the final attempted communications with the helicopter, before it collides with the plane.
Tesla commits to cheaper cars in first half, sees autonomous vehicles 'in the wild' in June
Tesla says the company would start testing a paid autonomous car service in June.
Vehicles plough into people outside KL nightspot, two injured
The police receive a report about the incident from a 24-year-old man who witnesses it.
Girl, 7, dies of suspected abuse by parents
Police says the post-mortem found old and fresh abuse signs on the victim, with death caused by abdominal injuries from a blunt object.
American Airlines jet, Army helicopter collide, crash into Washington's Potomac River
The Washington Post reports that multiple bodies have been recovered from the water.