Legendary hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz is at the center of a new legal storm, accused of receiving $7.3 million in embezzled funds.
The lawsuit, filed on October 2, alleges that Swizz, husband of Alicia Keys, received money from two notorious figures involved in a high-profile international corruption scandal between 2012 and 2014.
The case revolves around Jho Low, a businessman who gained infamy for his role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal. Low and his associate Eric Tan are said to have funneled money to several high-profile individuals, including Swizz Beatz. The scandal, which has already implicated several others, including Fugees rapper Pras, involved billions of dollars being embezzled from a Malaysian investment fund.
During the early 2010s, Low became known for his lavish lifestyle, throwing extravagant parties and mingling with celebrities. He forged relationships with many big names in Hollywood and the music industry, including Swizz Beatz and his wife, Alicia Keys. The lawsuit claims that between September 2012 and September 2014, Swizz was one of several people who allegedly received stolen money from Low and Tan.
The plaintiffs in the case, a liquidating company tasked with recovering stolen 1MDB funds, argue that they still want it returned even if Swizz was unaware that the money he received was embezzled. The lawsuit does not claim Swizz knowingly participated in the fraudulent activities, but it stresses that the funds, tied to the massive 1MDB corruption scandal, must be recovered.
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The 1MDB scandal, which has rocked governments and implicated high-ranking officials and celebrities alike, continues to see new developments as legal actions are pursued across the globe. Swizz Beatz now finds himself linked to this ongoing saga, and as the lawsuit unfolds, the pressure mounts on the famed producer to clarify his role in the matter.
