Malaysia files criminal charges against Goldman Sachs

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia says it has filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and two of its employees in connection with a multibillion-dollar scandal involving state investment fund 1MDB.

Attorney General Tommy Thomas said Monday that the charges stem from allegedly misleading statements aimed at misappropriating $2.7 billion in proceeds from the sale of three bonds issued by subsidiaries of the fund.

Thomas says Goldman benefited by collecting what he alleges were inflated fees of $600 million.

The bank did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment.

Former Prime Minister Najib Razak launched 1MDB in 2009 to promote economic development but it racked up billions of dollars in debts that have led to investigations in the US and several other countries. /ee