A BEVERLY Hills mansion belonging to former prime minister Najib Razak’s stepson, Riza Aziz, has been sold for over US$7.3 million (RM30.39 million), according to court documents sighted by Malaysiakini.

This is one of the three properties owned by Riza that US prosecutors are making their move on in relation to funds stolen from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Money from the interlocutory sale of the mansion will be held by the US Marshals Service for safekeeping until the disposal of a civil forfeiture suit by the US Department of Justice to recover assets bought with misappropriated 1MDB funds.

Proceeds from the sale, authorised by the California Central District Court, will first go to paying outstanding property taxes, management fees, outstanding construction loans and other fees.

The US Marshals Service will only keep what is left after other expenses related to the sale and debts to lienholders are paid.

Malaysiakini reported the US Marshal Service confirming the receipt of US$7,318,134.70 in relation to the sale on November 13.

The mansion, at North Hillcrest Road, is among others bought by Riza from fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho.

In previous reports, Reuters had cited court filings which said the homes are worth £23.2 million (RM117.2 million) for a London townhouse, US$17.5 million for a house in Beverly Hills and a US$35.5 million for a condominium in New York.

Riza, who co-founded Hollywood production company Red Granite Pictures, was charged with five counts of money-laundering in Malaysia in July.

The amount involved, US$248 million, was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.

His case will be heard at the Kuala Lumpur High Court in January. – December 11, 2019.