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Fugitive financier denies making political donation to Trump

Published:  |  Modified:

Fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low has denied donating US$100,000 to a political fundraising committee related to US President Donald Trump.

In a statement sent by Low's attorney, Robin Rathwell, Low described the allegation reported by US publication the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as "false and without any basis".

Rathwell added that the WSJ was informed of this prior to publishing the article in question.

"Low categorically denies having made any of the alleged donations mentioned in the WSJ article.

"[...]Low has never entered into any agreement and/or paid (or authorised payment of) any money to the entities referred to in the WSJ article as supposedly having made political donations," read the statement released by Wells Haslem Mayhew Strategic Public Affairs, an Australian-based lobbyist group.

Read more: Stolen 1MDB funds: DOJ lawsuit revisited

The WSJ reported today that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) was investigating if Low, who real name is Low Taek Jho, was indirectly behind a US$100,000 donation received by the Trump Victory committee.

The Trump Victory committee is involved in Trump's 2020 re-election efforts.

It is a crime in the US for foreign individuals or companies to make direct or indirect donations to US politicians or fundraising committees, to prevent any foreign interference in US politics.

Two emails to WSJ

The donation was allegedly made to the committee by one Larry Davis, a US citizen, in December 2017.

It was reported that seven months prior to making this donation, Davis' investment company LNS Capital received transfers amounting to US$1.5 million from Low.

Rathwell today insisted that Low had "never heard" of Davis or LNS.

In its report, the WSJ did acknowledge that Low denied knowledge of Davis or the donation in an email to them.

However, it also reported that in a follow-up email to the financial daily, Low asked that the first email be ignored as it was meant for his lawyers.

To this, Low's attorney stated: "It is disappointing that the WSJ chose to ignore legal privilege and publish an email that was clearly sent in error."

Related reportEye on Jho Low's link with US$100k given to Trump's political funds

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