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Tim Leissner and Judy Chan's wrongdoings are a significant part of their story. They were both high-ranking executives at Goldman Sachs.
Tim Leissner was a former partner at Goldman Sachs, and his involvement in the 1MDB scandal led to his guilty plea in 2018. He admitted to conspiring to launder money and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Their actions had serious consequences, including a guilty plea from Leissner and a deferred prosecution agreement for Goldman Sachs.
Career and Crimes
Tim Leissner's career seemed to be a fairy tale, with him joining Lehman Brothers right after finishing his education and quickly rising through the ranks to become the head of Mergers and Acquisitions. He was a hardworking and savvy employee who consistently did extra steps that his co-workers wouldn't, earning him a strong reputation.
Leissner's success continued at Goldman Sachs, where he was promoted to chief of staff and eventually relocated to Hong Kong to manage various funds, including a partnership with Malaysia Development Berhad. He became the chairman of the Southeast Asia Division and was paid very well, with an estimated net worth of $30 million.
However, beneath the surface of Leissner's thriving career, he was committing serious crimes, including stealing $200 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad funds, paying bribes to Malaysian and Emirati officials, and posing as his ex-wife, Judy Chan, for years by sending fake emails to his current wife, Kimora Lee.
Marriage History
Tim Leissner's marriage history is a complex and tangled web. He has been married at least three times, with the exact dates and locations of two of his marriages still unclear.
He was married to Judy Chan, a former Goldman Sachs employee, but it's unclear when exactly they got married. Leissner and Chan met at Goldman when she was a junior analyst.
Leissner's marriage to Chan was so secretive that a marital records search did not yield any results. However, a lavish feast was reportedly held during their wedding, which included suckling pigs with electric lights flashing in their eye sockets.
Leissner's third marriage was to Kimora Lee Simmons, a supermodel, and it was also a secret wedding. The exact date and location of the ceremony remains unknown.
Leissner and Simmons share a son, Wolfe, who was born in 2015, and they also adopted Gary in January 2020. However, the couple has since become estranged, although it is unclear when they split.
Leissner's marriage history has raised questions about his character and honesty, particularly given his admission to faking a divorce to marry Simmons.
His Thriving Career
Tim Leissner's career took off after he joined Lehman Brothers right after completing his education. He stayed there for six years, becoming the head of Mergers and Acquisitions and representing the Asia-Pacific Region.
Leissner's work ethic and financial skills earned him a strong reputation as someone who could get things done. He was quickly promoted to chief of staff and eventually relocated to Hong Kong in 2011.
In Hong Kong, Leissner managed various funds, including a partnership with Malaysia Development Berhad. He then became the chairman of the Southeast Asia Division, continuing his upward climb.
Leissner's hard work paid off, and he was paid very well. He even had a side hustle that earned him more money.
Tim Leissner is currently estimated to be worth about $30 million, with his wife Kimora Lee estimated to be worth about $50 million.
Examining Crimes
Tim Leissner's crimes are a complex web of deceit and corruption. He was arrested in Washington, D.C. in 2018 for stealing billions from a Malaysian investment fund.
He was accused of stealing $200 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad funds, which is a staggering amount of money. He also paid bribes to various Malaysian and Emirati officials to get them to support Goldman Sachs business ventures.
The scheme was masterminded by Jho Low, a Malaysian businessman with an infamous reputation. Low was known for his high-spending habits, having lost $26 million in Las Vegas gambling trips.
Leissner's crimes went far beyond just embezzlement. He also started a side hustle with Wildcat Capital Management that he never shared with Goldman Sachs, earning him $41K a month in 2015.
Leissner's personal life was also marred by deception. He admitted to posing as his ex-wife, Judy Chan, for years by sending fake emails to his current wife, Kimora Lee.
The total amount of money stolen from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund is estimated to be $4.5 billion. Leissner was forced to pay a $43 million fine and was found guilty, though his sentencing has been rescheduled to 2023.
Where Is Now?
Tim Leissner is sitting in prison awaiting his sentencing, facing up to 25 years for his crimes.
He could get less time due to his cooperation in the trial and his willingness to plead guilty.
Leissner will likely not leave prison for at least 10-15 years, depending on the judge's perception of his crimes.
He will come out of prison a 60-65-year-old man with a tainted reputation and little to no money to his name.
Marrying Kimora Lee, a supermodel from Malaysia, may have added pressure on Leissner to make more money.
Some believe Leissner felt psychological pressure to "be rich" or have luxury items like yachts and planes.
Why He Did These Things
Tim Leissner's actions were motivated by a desire for financial gain and a sense of entitlement.
He was a high-powered banker with a lavish lifestyle, and he wanted to maintain it.
According to the article, Leissner was involved in a bribery scheme that involved paying bribes to Malaysian officials, including Prime Minister Najib Razak.
He also used his position to help his mistress, Jasmine Lai, and her friend, Jasmine's business partner, who was involved in a different bribery scheme.
Leissner's actions were not just about personal gain, but also about maintaining his reputation and status within the banking industry.
He was a respected executive at Goldman Sachs, and he didn't want to jeopardize his career by getting caught.
Goldman Sachs Involvement
Goldman Sachs was a key player in the 1MDB scandal, with Tim Leissner and Roger Ng, a Goldman Sachs banker, at the center of the scheme.
Tim Leissner, a former Goldman Sachs partner, was a key player in the 1MDB scandal, using his position to help the Malaysian state fund raise $6.5 billion in 2012 and 2013.
Goldman Sachs earned $600 million in fees for its role in the 1MDB bond sales.
Leissner's relationship with Jho Low, the mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, was instrumental in securing the deal.
Goldman Sachs has faced criticism and lawsuits over its involvement in the 1MDB scandal.
The bank's Malaysian unit was fined $350 million in 2020 for its role in the scandal.
Judy Chan, a former Goldman Sachs employee, was also implicated in the scandal, accused of helping to facilitate the 1MDB bond sales.
The scandal has had far-reaching consequences, with Goldman Sachs facing significant reputational and financial damage.
The bank's role in the 1MDB scandal has been widely criticized, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the financial industry.
Ex-Goldman Exec Sent Fake Emails as Ex-Wife
Tim Leissner, a former Goldman Sachs executive, sent fake emails to his ex-wife Judy Chan, according to reports.
These emails were designed to make it seem like Judy Chan was in financial trouble, which was not the case.
Leissner's actions were part of a larger scheme to gain leverage over his ex-wife and gain control of her assets.
Leissner's behavior is a stark reminder that people in positions of power can sometimes abuse that power.
Judy Chan is a Hong Kong businesswoman and the daughter of a wealthy property developer.
Sources
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10595267/Ex-Goldman-Sachs-banker-Tim-Leissner-admits-posing-heiress-wife-email-YEARS.html
- https://moneyinc.com/tim-leissner/
- https://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/rise-and-fall-tim-leissner-goldmans-big-man-malaysia
- https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/1mdb-loot-wasnt-enough-so-ex-goldman-banker-stole-even-more
- https://nypost.com/2022/03/09/ex-goldman-exec-tim-leissner-posed-as-ex-wife-for-years-in-fake-emails/
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