Kimora Lee Simmons’ husband Tim Leissner pleaded guilty on Thursday in a case involving money laundering in Malaysia.
According to WWD, Leissner was subpoenaed by the U.S. Justice Department after billions of dollars vanished from a Malaysian government wealth fund to boost the country’s economy.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Family portrait of Tim Leissner and Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner with their son Wolfe attend the Kimora Lee Simmons Presentation Spring 2016 New York Fashion Week: The Shows at on September 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage)
Leissner used to be chairman of Goldman Sachs’ Southeast Asia business until he left in 2016. He also helped to raise money for the sovereign wealth fund along with two other men, fellow Goldman Sachs’ banker Roger Ng and Jho Low, a Malaysian businessman. NG was arrested in Malaysia earlier this week, and Low is currently on the run.
As for Leissner, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and violate foreign anti-bribery laws, as well as bribing officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. He also has to forfeit $43.7 million.
Kimora spoke out since the charges came down and said she and her husband’s finances aren’t connected when it comes to her business endeavors. The former model decided to make that clarification after The New York Post suggested her designer labels were financially backed by Leissner.
“I fund my own business,” said Kimora in May of last year. “I’ve been in the fashion industry since [age] 12, modeling and all that. So all my money, not that I want to say it that way, this is my third marriage that I’m on so, no, my husband has nothing to do with my professional life.”
At this time, Kimora hasn’t said anything about her husband pleading guilty.
