Tim Leissner, once a top executive at Goldman Sachs, is now a convicted felon tied to one of the largest financial scandals in recent history — the 1MDB case. His fall from Wall Street power to prison cell shocked the global financial world and raised serious questions about banking ethics.

Tim Leissner wasn’t just another name in the banking industry. As Goldman Sachs’ former head of Asian investment banking, he was a key player in some of the most high-profile deals in Asia. Then came the 1MDB scandal, which unraveled not only his career but also the reputation of one of the most respected banks in the world.

Leissner’s story is a cautionary tale of greed, corruption, and the consequences of crossing ethical and legal boundaries. His guilty plea in 2018 and eventual two-year prison sentence marked the end of a decades-long career built on influence and high-stakes finance. So, who is Tim Leissner, and how did he end up at the center of an international scandal? Let’s break it down.

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Table of Contents

• Tim Leissner Biography
• Tim Leissner’s Role in the 1MDB Scandal
• Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
• Personal Life and Relationships
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tim Leissner: A Brief Biography

Tim Leissner, a former senior banker at Goldman Sachs, was born in Germany and built a career in global finance that spanned decades. He eventually became the head of Goldman Sachs' investment banking division in Asia, where he played a critical role in managing high-profile deals for governments and corporations.

Here’s a quick snapshot of Tim Leissner’s background:

Tim Leissner’s Role in the 1MDB Scandal

The 1MDB scandal was one of the biggest financial frauds in modern times. It involved billions of dollars being siphoned from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund through a complex web of shell companies and offshore accounts. Tim Leissner played a central role in arranging bond deals for 1MDB, which helped funnel the money to the wrong hands.

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Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiring to launder money and bribing officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. He admitted to knowing that the funds were being used for corrupt purposes but still went ahead with the deals. His cooperation with U.S. authorities was key in building the case against others involved, including Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

Goldman Sachs was also implicated in the scandal. The bank paid over $2.9 billion in fines across multiple countries, including the U.S., Malaysia, and Singapore, as part of settlements related to its role in the 1MDB bond offerings. Leissner’s guilty plea was a major blow to the firm’s reputation.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Tim Leissner was arrested in the U.S. and charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bribery, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He pleaded guilty in August 2018 and was sentenced to two years in prison by a federal court in New York.

Malaysia had pushed for a harsher sentence, arguing that Leissner was more than just a bystander — he was a central figure in the scheme. However, U.S. prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence due to his cooperation in the investigation. His lawyers argued that the bail restrictions he faced, including being confined to three U.S. cities, were already a form of punishment.

The judge overseeing the case eventually agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice’s recommendation. Leissner began serving his sentence in 2021 and was released in 2023 after serving the full two years.

Tim Leissner’s Personal Life and Relationships

Tim Leissner was married to Kimora Lee Simmons, a former model and fashion designer, in a high-profile wedding in 2014. The couple often appeared in the media spotlight, especially during their time in New York. They have two children together.

Their relationship hit rough waters during Leissner’s legal troubles. The stress of the scandal and his eventual imprisonment reportedly strained their marriage, leading to a separation in 2020. Despite the public nature of their lives, details about their private interactions remain limited.

Leissner’s fall from grace was not just professional but personal as well. The couple’s luxurious lifestyle — once filled with fashion events, charity galas, and high-end social circles — came to a halt as the legal battles dragged on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tim Leissner go to jail?

Tim Leissner went to jail for his role in the 1MDB scandal, where he helped orchestrate illegal financial transactions involving billions of dollars stolen from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and bribery, and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2021.

How much did Goldman Sachs pay for 1MDB?

Goldman Sachs paid over $2.9 billion in fines across several countries, including the U.S., Malaysia, and Singapore, for its role in arranging bond deals that helped fund the 1MDB scandal. Learn more about the case in the Financial Times.

Is Tim Leissner still married to Kimora Lee Simmons?

No, Tim Leissner and Kimora Lee Simmons separated in 2020. The couple was married in 2014 but faced a very public split as Leissner’s legal troubles unfolded. They have two children together and continue to co-parent.