Red Granite Settles—No Guilt, Just a $60M Cleanup
So, the Hollywood powerhouse that tossed us “The Wolf of Wall Street” finally came to a truce with the U.S. Treasury. Red Granite Pictures, the smirking behind the cameras, has agreed to drop a whopping $60 million (about SGD 78.9 million) to the government to settle rumors that it ran the golfing club of a Malaysian money‑laundering drama.
The Deal in Plain English
- Payment schedule: $30 million in 30 days, $20 million over the next 180 days, and the final $10 million half a year after that.
- No Guilt Clause: Red Granite says it’s not admitting to any wrongdoing. It’s all “Let’s just be done with it.”
- Paramount’s Role: Broken‑up money that came from the film “Daddy’s Home” is now earmarked for the government. The company gets a $3 million cushion to keep future projects rolling until the last payment is made.
Why the U.K. Stars are Now Slowed‑Minded
The money‑machinating saga traces back to 2016, when federal prosecutors filed a civil asset‑forfeiture case in an attempt to claw back over a billion dollars allegedly swiped from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Jho Low, the slick financier who charmed everyone, is accused of orchestrating a $4.5 billion heist. The film’s CEO, Riza Aziz—stepson to Malaysia’s Prime Minister and close sidekick to Low—had allegedly funnelled more than $100 million of the cursed coffers into blockbuster projects like “The Wolf,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” and “Daddy’s Home.”
Housing the Gated Damage
Riza’s “no‑worries” claims are suspiciously easy. Apart from film funds, he supposedly bought high‑end real estate with the stolen cash: a $35 million Manhattan condo, a $41.8 million London townhouse, and a $17.5 million Beverly Hills mansion. The government is eye‑browning these luxury assets.
Life in Hollywood’s Art Scenes
Some 3 art pieces that Low and a buddy gifted to Leonardo DiCaprio have now got a new address in the Treasury’s vault. DiCaprio, no suspect, also handed over an Oscar that was once given to Marlon Brando—a gesture that, frankly, looks more like a quirky philanthropy than a crime scene.
Bottom Line: Money, We’re Done
Red Granite’s involvement is now legally “paid off.” No formal admission, just cash transferred. The flag colourful Hollywood drama fans love is being tucked away, while the firm plans to bring the excitement back to their next blockbuster—minus any long‑term tax headaches. The $60 million will be in plain sight, clean, and hopefully won’t become the next plot twist.
