RIZA Aziz kept a poker face in court today where he claimed trial to five counts of money laundering for accepting US$248 million (RM1 billion) of illicit funds.

Najib Razak’s stepson is accused of receiving the money via his Hollywood production company Red Granite Pictures and Good Star Ltd, a company linked to fugitive financier Low Taek Jho.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at the City National Bank in Los Angeles and in Singapore in in 2011 and 2012 . 

He wore a black suit with close-cropped hair and beard stubble.

Nooryana and Norashman Najib were in the public gallery to offer their stepbrother support.

Gopal Sri Ram is the special prosecutor .

Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob allowed bail at RM1 million in two sureties and ordered the accused to surrender his passport. 

Riza told the court he does not hold valid travelling documents and that he has also been barred from leaving the country.

The case is set for mention on August 9.

Rozina denied a request by the defence for the bail to be paid in two instalments.

Riza left without speaking to the press after posting bail.

Riza is charged with money laundering offences under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.

They are:

• Receiving illicit funds amounting to US$1,173,104 from Good Star Ltd between April 12, 2011 and May 12, 2011 via Red Granite Productions account at City National Bank in Los Angeles.
• Receiving illicit funds amounting to US$9 million from Good Star Ltd between September 10, 2012 and October 10, 2012 via Red Granite Productions account at City National Bank in Los Angeles. 
• Receiving illicit funds amounting to US$133 million from Aabar Investments PJS Ltd on June 18, 2012 via Red Granite Capital Ltd account at BSI Bank in Singapore. 
• Receiving illicit funds amounting to US$60 million from Aabar Investments PJS Ltd on October 23, 2012 via Red Granite Capital Ltd at BSI Bank in Singapore. 
• Receiving illicit funds amounting to US$45 million from Aabar Investments PJS Ltd on October 23, 2012 via Red Granite Capital Ltd at BSI Bank in Singapore. 

Sri Ram was assisted by deputy public prosecutor Akram Garib. K. Kumaraendran appeared as lead defence counsel. Also serving as Riza’s legal representatives are Geethan Ram Vincent, Mohd Shukri Ahmad Mansor, Azrul Zulkifly Stork, Syazwani Zawawi and Mardiyah Siraj.

Farhan Shafee, representing Najib Razak, appeared as watching brief.

The 43-year-old son of Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, from a previous marriage, was arrested at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at noon yesterday, but was released later on bail.

Riza, who holds a background in finance and studied at the London School of Economics, was questioned four times by MACC in July last year.

Red Granite Pictures paid US$60 million (RM247 million) to the US Department of Justice in March last year to settle claims that it produced three films using funds siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

The company – which produced big-budget films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, Daddy’s Home, and Dumb and Dumber To – was ordered to settle the US$60 million in three installments over 12 months from March, according to documents filed with the US district court in California.

The company was accused by US authorities of receiving the sum as part of the US$238 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB and Rizal himself is accused of using the funds to purchase luxury properties from Jho Low.

Riza was also named in a RM680 million forfeiture suit filed by prosecutors last month for assets allegedly bought with 1MDB funds. 

Last month, the Attorney-General’s Chambers filed a notice of forfeiture for hundreds of items including truckloads of designer handbags and 27 vehicles seized from premises linked to Najib and his family and 13 associated individuals and companies

The notice named the prosecution as the applicant and 18 individuals and companies as the respondents.

Also named were Nooryana and Norashman.

Riza will be the third person in Najib’s family to be slapped with criminal charges. His mother is facing two criminal trials that are set to begin next year.

If convicted, Riza could face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of RM5 million.

Najib’s SRC International trial, in which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in his personal accounts, is currently being heard. The former prime minister faces up to four other criminal trials, set to begin next year. – July 5, 2019.