Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies in Trial Alleging Illegal Chinese Influence in Obama Campaign Donation Plan

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio testified in a Washington court on Monday that Malaysian financier Jho Low had revealed his plans to donate up to $30 million to assist President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, in what prosecutors argue was part of an illegal foreign influence operation, according to a Reuters report.

DiCaprio said that during a casual conversation that Low had indicated he planned to give a “significant donation” to the Democratic Party worth “somewhere to the tune of $20-30 million.”

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a member of the Fugees hip-hop group, is currently on trial for his alleged role in a foreign influence campaign aimed at the Obama and Trump administrations.

Prosecutors argue that Michel agreed to funnel money from Low into Obama’s 2012 campaign and hide the source of the funds, as foreign donations to U.S. campaigns are forbidden under Federal election law.

Low supported DiCaprio’s charitable foundation and helped fund “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the 2013 movie in which DiCaprio starred and was nominated for an Oscar, Reuters notes.

In 2018, the production company of the movie reached a civil settlement with the Justice Department, agreeing to surrender $60 million that was suspected to have been embezzled from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.

DiCaprio’s relationship with Low has been under scrutiny, and the actor told jurors on Monday that his own legal team, an outside firm, and the studios conducted three separate due diligence probes before agreeing to finance “The Wolf of Wall Street” with Low’s help.

The actor said he “was given a green light from my team, as well as the studios, to accept financing from Mr. Low.”

The case highlights the connections between China and the American film industry, as Low’s involvement in “The Wolf of Wall Street” is just one example of China’s influence in Hollywood.

The case also highlights concerns about foreign influence in U.S. politics and the need for campaign finance laws that prevent foreign donors from influencing U.S. elections.

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