Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, has become the first high-profile witness to testify in the trial of former Fugees rapper Pras Michel, 50. This is reported by CNN, among others. Michel is accused of being involved in illegal campaign finance. These came from Jho Low, 41, a Malaysian businessman alleged to have stolen billions of dollars from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB. Michel has pleaded “not guilty”.
DiCaprio has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The Hollywood star testified about his connections to Low for about an hour, according to the report. Prosecutors apparently wanted to show that the investor allegedly used stolen money to ingratiate himself with actors, models and politicians in the United States.
According to CNN, Low and DiCaprio were introduced to each other around 2010. DiCaprio reportedly told the jury about attending Low’s birthday party in Las Vegas at the time. Rapper Pras Michel is said to have known DiCaprio since the 1990s.
According to CNN, DiCaprio told CNN about “a multitude of lavish parties” that Low is said to have thrown around the world, which Michel is said to have attended. The actor then apparently told the jury that he spoke to Low about the US presidential election in 2012. It was also about a million dollar donation from Low. The businessman eventually offered to finance a film for DiCaprio, he testified. DiCaprio’s attorneys, a production company and a third party conducted background checks on Low and his finances, DiCaprio said, according to the report, and gave the go-ahead to finalize a deal with Low.
Prosecutors allege Low laundered money from 1MDB through a Los Angeles-based film production company. The company reportedly used some of the money laundered to finance films. Low also donated money to DiCaprio’s environmental foundation, according to the actor. The Hollywood star said on the witness stand, according to CNN, that he stopped speaking to Low around 2015. At the time, his team had apparently uncovered an article claiming that Low was involved in illegal activities.
A rep for DiCaprio previously told CNN that the actor is working with US attorneys to return all funds related to the case.