Peters & Peters are lead counsel for a main alleged co-conspirator in the global 1MDB investigation concerning allegations of corruption in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. Our client, a former senior public official in Abu Dhabi is alleged to have conspired with senior individuals to defraud the Malaysian public in a series of billion dollar bond issues. Investigations taking place around the world are focused on identifying the scope of the financial structures and tracing the proceeds of crime and are led by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ’s kleptocracy unit is seeking to seize over USD1 billion in assets and this is the largest ever civil forfeiture case in the US. We manage the international investigations on behalf of the client. In a case of this scale and nature, it is imperative that we provide the client with strategic direction in order to defend the case in its many jurisdictions. We also advise on asset seizures, civil forfeiture, mutual legal assistance requests, insider dealing, money laundering, extradition, amongst many other considerations.  We manage a team of lawyers in each relevant jurisdiction (see below). As an ultra-high net worth individual, our client is the beneficial owner of multiple corporate entities.  These entities are often themselves subject to investigation and/or freezing orders. We advise on the numerous, complex issues which affect the operation of these companies in the context of the worldwide litigation and infamy of the case.

“1MDB scandal: Malaysia files charges against Goldman Sachs” (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/17/1mdb-scandal-malaysia-files-charges-against-goldman-sachs); “Goldman Sachs sued over ‘central role’ in 1MDB scandal” (https://www.wsj.com/articles/sovereign-fund-sues-goldman-sachs-over-1mdb-scandal-1542811084); “Goldman Sachs sued by Abu Dhabi fund over 1MDB” (https://www.ft.com/content/f21e5710-eda5-11e8-89c8-d36339d835c0)