Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) has sought to intervene in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) proceedings against law firm Messrs Chethan Jethwani & Co in relation to the 1MDB settlement documents. The intervention request was made on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, and has caused a delay in the case transfer hearing. The bank's lawyers argued that their client's rights could be affected by the commission’s application, citing the obligation of solicitors to protect client information.
The MACC is currently investigating allegations of accepting bribes and suspected money laundering related to the 1MDB settlement. On October 11, 2023, it filed a motion against Chethan Jethwani and Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership, seeking documents related to the settlement. The firms are under scrutiny for potential gratification and money laundering offences under the MACC Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Goldman Sachs had previously disputed the global settlement agreement at the London Court of International Arbitration last month. In response to this, Chethan Jethwani cited an initial MACC raid into his office in response to their application to seize documents.
Messrs Chethan Jethwani had represented Goldman Sachs in the 1MDB settlement negotiations back in August 2021. The MACC is also looking into potential money "layering" between Goldman and RDS as part of its investigation.
Looking ahead, a hearing for Goldman Sachs’ application to intervene has been scheduled for January 8, 2024. The Malaysian Bar, acting as amicus curiae, will observe the proceedings. Following this, on February 2, 2024, the hearing for the prosecution’s application to transfer Chethan Jethwani's case is set to take place. The MACC's money laundering unit director and representatives from several government bodies, who were involved in the settlement negotiations, will be present.
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