By PHILIP MARCELO

NEW YORK (AP) — A former Goldman Sachs banker was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison for his role in a $4.5 billion scheme to ransack a Malaysian state investment fund.

Tim Leissner, at his sentencing in Brooklyn federal court, apologized to the people of Malaysia, who he called the “real victims” of the scheme.

“The funds raised more than a decade ago could have profoundly benefited the nation and its citizens,” he said in a statement read in court and provided by his lawyers. “Instead, due to my greed — and the greed of those involved alongside me — they were misappropriated.”

Prosecutors said Leissner and other Goldman Sachs bankers helped the Malaysian investment fund known as 1MBD, or the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund, raise $6.5 billion through bond sales.

But they say more than $4.5 billion of the funds were stolen and laundered through bribes and kickbacks.

The spoils bankrolled extravagant purchases, from wild parties to lavish spending on jewels, art, a superyacht and luxury real estate, prosecutors have said. They also helped finance the 2013 Martin Scorsese film “The Wolf of Wall Street” that starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

The scandal led to the fall of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government in 2018. Najib was later convicted by a Malaysian court of abuse of power and other crimes related to the scandal and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

“What we did was unequivocally wrong, and I take full responsibility for my role,” Leissner said Thursday. “I deeply regret my actions, and if I could turn back time, I would undo them without hesitation.”

Leissner had pleaded guilty in 2018 to bribing government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.

He served as a key government witness in the trial of Roger Ng, a fellow former Goldman Sachs banker who was sentenced in 2023 to 10 years in federal prison.

Ng’s lawyers described the looting of 1MDB as “perhaps the single largest heist in the history of the world,” but maintained prosecutors scapegoated him for crimes committed by others, including the higher-ranking Leissner.

Prosecutors declined to comment on Thursday’s sentence. They had not sought a specific prison term in filings ahead of sentencing while lawyers for Leissner had sought a sentence of time already served.

Leissner is due to report to prison Sept. 15 and his lawyers have requested that he be sent to the federal prison in Otisville, New York, according to the prosecutors.

Henry Mazurek, Leissner’s lawyer, said his client is prepared to serve his sentence. It includes two years of supervised release after prison and a forfeiture totaling $43.7 million, which already has been paid.

“Mr. Leissner cooperated not only to obtain leniency at sentencing, but to show his true remorse for his actions and tell the full story of 1MDB and Goldman Sachs,” Mazurek said in an email. “He did that and will continue to tell all who will listen about the poisonous culture at Goldman that inspired the 1MDB scheme.”

There’s no question that superstar receiver Justin Jefferson has reached the stage in his career where his success no longer hinges on him participating in organized team activities.

Though he likely would have made headlines this week if he decided not to show up at TCO Performance Center, Jefferson would have been forgiven considering these are voluntary workouts by definition. The fact that he chose to be in attendance for the Vikings wasn’t lost on head coach Kevin O’Connell as he reflected on the importance of his presence.

“He means so much to this organization,” O’Connell said. “The guys in that locker room know, ‘If this guy is pushing himself in May and June, I sure as heck better be doing the same thing.’ ”

The intentionality of being back in the Twin Cities goes beyond setting an example for his teammates, however, as it’s also given Jefferson a chance to familiarize himself with new No. 1 quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The growing relationship between both players was on full display a couple of weeks ago when Jefferson and McCarthy went viral while sitting courtside at a playoff game between the Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors.

“That was interesting, being mic’d up and all that,” McCarthy said. “We spend a good amount of time together.”

As close as they’re getting off the field, Jefferson and McCarthy are still a work in progress on the field.

Though the Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to be the future of the franchise, Jefferson spent most of his time last summer catching passes from former starting quarterback Sam Darnold. Just when it looked as if McCarthy might be pushing for some additional snaps with the starters, he suffered a torn meniscus that landed him on injured reserve.

That’s why the reps in organized team activities this spring have been so important for Jefferson and McCarthy. They are trying to get on the same page as quickly as possible. That way they can hit the ground running in training camp this summer.

The learning curve was apparent in real time this week. There was a particular play early in practice that featured McCarthy throwing an interception during 7-on-7 drills while targeting Jefferson in the middle. On the other side of the coin, there was a play late in practice that featured McCarthy throwing a touchdown during 11-on-11 drills while targeting Jefferson deep downfield.

“We’re not where we want to be,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to be there when we need to be.”

Some of the subtle moments between Jefferson and McCarthy this week also mattered in the grand scheme of things. The little interactions that otherwise go unnoticed. Like picking each other up after a bad play and dapping each other up after a good plays.

None of it would’ve have been possible if Jefferson was elsewhere.

“He’s an energy igniter of the whole building,” O’Connell said. “He’s come back with a purpose.”

The hope is that the work the Vikings are putting in now could go a long way later.

“It’s been extremely huge,” McCarthy said. “Just being able to get that chemistry building has been invaluable.”

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Ramsey County has named Nadir Abdi as deputy county manager of the health and wellness service team, with his role beginning July 14.

Ramsey County selected Nadir Abdi as deputy county manager of the health and wellness service team. He begins his role July 14, 2025. (Courtesy of Ramsey County)

Abdi will join the county’s executive leadership team. His role includes implementing county board policies and advancing integrated services for residents. The search process for the position began in February.

Abdi has more than two decades of experience in government administration, social policy, and community engagement and is currently Dakota County’s director of employment and economic assistance, a role he has held since 2020.

“I’m passionate about delivering care with dignity and supporting the incredible staff who make that possible every day,” Abdi said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working together with the team at Ramsey County to ensure community feels supported and valued when they need it most.”

He held leadership positions at Equus Workforce Solutions, Jewish Family Services in Ohio and JP Morgan Chase. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Management and Leadership from Hamline University.

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By SOPHIA TAREEN

CHICAGO (AP) — One of Chicago’s most infamous gang leaders is among the people to receive commutations this week from President Donald Trump, a puzzling move that has raised questions about whether Larry Hoover will be freed.

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The 74-year-old Hoover, who has received support from celebrities like rapper Ye and inspired popular rap lyrics, has been serving a life sentence at the nation’s most restrictive prison in Colorado. He was first imprisoned in Illinois for a 1973 murder and convicted decades later in federal court for running a criminal enterprise while behind bars.

Trump’s move commutes the federal sentence of the former kingpin and prison entrepreneur. However, Hoover must still serve his lengthy Illinois sentence.

Hoover’s supporters say they are working on ways to get Hoover paroled or pardoned in Illinois, but questions linger about his chances and even where he will be imprisoned.

Notorious gang leader works behind bars

Hoover was a founder of the Gangster Disciples more than 50 years ago, which remains one of Chicago’s most notorious street gangs.

At its height under Hoover’s leadership, the gang generated about $100 million each year in cocaine and heroin sales, according to federal prosecutors.

“He was the undisputed head of the organization. He ran it. Everybody reported to him,” said Ron Safer, a former U.S. assistant attorney who led the prosecution of Hoover. “The Gangster Disciples were monolithic, ruthlessly efficient.”

Hoover ordered the death of a gang member in 1973 and was convicted of murder. He was sentenced to 150 to 200 years in a state prison.

But prosecutors say that didn’t stop him from spreading the gang’s vast influence. For more than two decades, he ran the Gangster Disciples from behind bars, expanding it to chapters in more than two dozen states.

He was eventually charged with dozens of federal crimes, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. A federal jury found him guilty in 1997. He was sentenced to life the following year and sent to the “supermax” prison in Florence, Colorado, where he has spent years in solitary confinement.

Prison entrepreneur tries politics

Hoover has left a prominent mark on pop culture, launching a jail-inspired fashion line, starting a political action committee and inspiring rap lyrics.

In 1995, he began his “Ghetto Prisoner” fashion line in hopes of having a positive influence on young people.

“All kids in the ghetto can associate with the idea of prisoners and being treated like prisoners,″ he told The Associated Press in a 1995 phone interview from the Dixon Correctional Center in Illinois. “I’m hoping that it will wake them up and help them understand that we have to come together as a people and stop being sectarian.”

Supporters said his political action committee, 21st Century V.O.T.E., inspired thousands to protest outside Chicago City Hall in the 1990s.

His name was further memorialized in one of rapper Rick Ross’ most famous songs, the 2010 single “B.M.F.,” which was an ode to Hoover’s power and influence.

Rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, and Drake were among the celebrities who championed Hoover’s early release. West pleaded Hoover’s case to Trump during a bizarre Oval Office meeting in 2018.

Three years later, Drake and Ye headlined a “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert in Los Angeles to help call attention to prison reforms.

Hoover’s chances for freedom

Trump’s move confused many, including Safer, who said the commutation was “extremely disappointing” given the years of trauma, drug addiction and lives lost in gang wars.

“There are some crimes that are so heinous and so extraordinary that they do not qualify for mercy,” Safer said.

Hoover’s many previous attempts for a sentence reduction or parole have been swiftly rejected, including a federal judge denying Hoover’s request for a lower sentence in 2021. Last year, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously rejected his bid for parole and before that in 2022 with a 10-1 vote.

Attorneys have said Hoover became a symbol of gang culture, making it hard for courts to consider resentencing him, but that Hoover has since denounced gangs and is a changed man.

For instance, Hoover was illiterate when he entered prison and has since taught himself, earned his GED certificate and taken classes on robotics and art history.

Hoover remains eligible for parole in Illinois and has a hearing later this year.

“He’s not responsible for all gang violence that ever has occurred,” said attorney Jennifer Bonjean.

She and others say they will push Gov. JB Pritzker to pardon Hoover, arguing that Hoover received a disproportionate sentence. Hoover’s co-defendants have received reduced sentences, clemency or already been released.

“There is no purpose in returning a 74-year-old man in failing health to prison after 52 years of incarceration,” said a joint statement from attorneys Joshua Dubin and Justin Moore. “Justice demands that Mr. Hoover’s time be considered served.”

Pritzker declined comment Thursday.

Hoover’s family celebrated the commutation. “Almost home!” his son Larry Hoover Jr. wrote on Instagram and posted a picture toasting his father.

While Trump said Hoover should be “released immediately,” it was unclear if or when Hoover would be moved out of the federal facility.

Federal prison officials confirmed Thursday that Hoover remained imprisoned in Colorado and determining a new release date would involve “additional research and auditing.”

Illinois officials declined to discuss the case.

“The Illinois Department of Corrections does not comment on the timing or details of transfers from federal facilities to state facilities and has no additional information to share at this time,” agency spokeswoman Naomi Puzzello said in statement.

Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin in Denver contributed to this report.