Malaysian in 1MDB scandal denies wrongdoing after US charges

A Malaysian financier at the centre of a corruption scandal surrounding state fund 1MDB maintained his innocence Friday after the US unveiled criminal charges against him and two ex-Goldman Sachs bankers.

Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low, and the former bankers were accused by the US Justice Department of conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the fund and bribing officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.

Low allegedly played a central role in plundering 1MDB.

He was an associate of Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak, whose government lost power in May in large part due to allegations that the then premier was involved in the vast fraud.

Since being ousted, Najib has been hit with a barrage of charges linked to the scandal.

A spokesman for 36-year-old Low, who held no official position at the fund but was believed to have huge influence over its workings, said that he "maintains his innocence.

"Mr Low held no formal position at 1MDB, nor was he ever employed by Goldman Sachs, or the governments of Malaysia or Abu Dhabi.

"The US Department of Justice specifically states that the charges in the indictment are allegations, and that Mr Low is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

"Mr Low simply asks that the public keep an open mind regarding this case until all of the evidence comes to light, which he believes will vindicate him."