Why is Leonardo DiCaprio testifying at the trial of Fugees rapper?

The ‘Titanic’ star Leonardo DiCaprio has testified at the trial of ex-Fugees rapper Pras Michel, who is accused of accepting money from a fugitive tycoon to influence American politicians. Allegedly Michel received more than $100 million from Malaysian billionaire Jho Low.

He denies a slew of charges, including conspiracy and witness tampering. Specifically, Michel is accused of conspiring to funnel money from a Malaysian state to fund Barack Obama’s 2012 election campaign.

But why is Leonardo DiCaprio testifying?

DiCaprio is testifying in the case because of his ties to Low, who was indicted in the Us but remained an international fugitive as Michel went to trial. The Malaysian Fanicer who helped oversee 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) used it to bankroll an extravagant lifestyle.

He is alleged to steered billions towards property in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, a superyacht, a private jet, and other glamorous purchases. The fund paid for a birthday party for Low where performers like Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and Pharell Williams were.

Brittany Spears also reportedly jumped out of a cake. DiCaprio isn’t accused of any wrongdoing but has known Michael since the 1990s and Low professionally and socially for years.

Low is alleged to have stolen billions from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund in the 1MDB scheme, the biggest embezzlement case in history.

DiCaprio’s relationship with accused

On Monday, the Oscar-winning actor testified that he met and befriended Low at a birthday party in Las Vegas in 2010. Low gave DiCaprio gifts, which he later returned, including a Picasso painting valued at $3.2 million and a Jean-Michel Basquiat collage valued at $9.2 million.

Low has also been a regular donor to DiCaprio’s charitable foundation. Low had also used money from the fund to finance the Martin Scorsese film “The World of Wall Street,” which starred DiCaprio.

DiCaprio also testified that he had his team and the studio vet Low before the film and they found him to be “a legitimate business person wanting to invest in the movie.” One of the producers of the film included Riza Aziz, stepson of then-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

DiCaprio also testified that later in their relationship, Low expressed an interest in making a “significant contribution,” between $20 and $30 million to the Democratic party ahead of the 2012 presidential election.

“I basically said, ‘wow, that’s a lot of money’,” DiCaprio said. While authorities believe those funds were embezzled from 1MDB.