DiCaprio testifies in 1MDB-linked trial of ex-Fugee rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel

Leonardo DiCaprio provided testimony on Monday in the trial of ex-Fugee rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, who is accused of conspiring to channel money from a Malaysian state fund to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. This summarizes the key players in the international scandal and the fund involved.

Michel, a founding member of the Fugees, allegedly worked with Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho to channel funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund established in 2009 for development, to Obama’s campaign through straw donors. Prosecutors claim Michel facilitated the transfer of up to $100 million. His trial began on Thursday.

DiCaprio testified due to his connections with Low, the alleged mastermind behind the scandal, who has also been indicted in the US but remains at large.

Low, who managed 1MDB, is accused of using the fund to finance a lavish lifestyle, including properties, a private jet, and a superyacht. In addition, low donated to DiCaprio’s charitable foundation and funded the film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” in which DiCaprio starred.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chaired 1MDB, has been convicted of corruption charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Goldman Sachs admitted to the embezzlement scheme and paid over $2.3 billion in a plea agreement with the US government. The bank also reached a $3.9 billion settlement with the Malaysian government.