'Wolf of Wall Street' producer to pay $60m to settle claims

The producer of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ has agreed to pay the US government $60m as part of a legal settlement following allegations that it funded the movie with money stolen from Malaysian state investment fund.

It was those allegations that triggered the lawsuit from America's Department of Justice against the production company, Red Granite Pictures, whose co-founder is the Malaysian prime minister’s stepson. The production company also settled claims against its rights and interests in two other films ‘Daddy’s Home’ and ‘Dumb and Dumber To’.

The 2013 film starring Leonardo Dicaprio is among the assets, alongside mansions, condos, jewellery and artwork, that were allegedly acquired with the money stolen from Malaysia Development Bhd..

Red Granite said in a statement, "We are glad to finally put this matter behind us and look forward to refocusing all of our attention back on our film business."

According to Wednesday's filing, the company would pay the DoJ in three instalments: $30m within 30 days, $20m within 180 days after that, and the final $10m within the next 180.