THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is set to file money-laundering charges against Paul Geoffrey Stadlen, a top media adviser to former prime minister Najib Razak.

MACC sources said a lawyer bearing the honorific of Datuk linked to the case will also face two charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001

The  source said the MACC has found evidence linking Stadlen, a Briton, and the lawyer to RM15 million connected to 1Malaysia Development  Bhd (IMDB).

The source said Stadlen will be charged in absentia as he had fled the country soon after the May 9 general election last year.

On October 31 last year, the MACC announced it was seeking Stadlen to speak to him about a case linked to the 1MDB scandal.

Previously, the opposition had repeatedly demanded to know Stadlen’s role in the Najib administration.

The Sarawak Report had alleged in a report that Stadlen was heading the Prime Minister’s Department communications team, which Putrajaya denied. – February 20, 2019.