A sprawling Beverly Hills estate tied to one of the largest financial scandals in modern history is now at the heart of a bitter legal battle involving entrepreneur and reality television personality Kimora Lee Simmons.
According to the New York Post, for nearly five years, Simmons has lived in the $25 million mansion, a seven-bedroom property set on 3.7 acres in the exclusive Beverly Park enclave.
The home was purchased in 2017 by her estranged husband, former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner.
In 2022, Leissner testified under oath that he used $25 million stolen from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund to buy the property. There is no evidence or suggestion that Simmons was involved in 1MDB.
The mansion’s ownership is now the subject of an ongoing civil dispute in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The case centers on claims that the property was sold and refinanced without proper authority.
Court filings show the estate was sold in November 2020 to entities linked to billionaire real estate moguls David and Simon Reuben after interest went unpaid on a $12 million mortgage Leissner had taken out.
As part of the arrangement, Leissner and Simmons were to pay $67,000 per month to remain in the home.
However, according to a source familiar with the deal, Simmons “has been [living] there since November 2020 and no rent has been paid to date.”
Simmons has challenged the transaction, alleging the sale was conducted without her permission.
Although she allegedly signed a Keyway resolution authorizing the deal, she claims her signature was obtained through misrepresentation and abuse of trust by Leissner, according to court documents.
The dispute over possession, title and liability has stretched into its fifth year. A trial setting conference is scheduled for Feb. 25.
Leissner, a German national, reported to federal prison in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, eight years after pleading guilty to his role in the $4.5 billion 1MDB fraud.
He previously testified as a government witness in the criminal trial of former colleague Roger Ng, who is serving a 10-year sentence.
Despite widespread asset seizures tied to 1MDB — including luxury properties and high-value gifts returned by celebrities — the Beverly Hills mansion was not forfeited.
To date, the U.S. Department of Justice has recovered approximately $1.4 billion connected to the scheme.
Meanwhile, the home’s exterior appears on Simmons’ current reality series, “Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane.” In a promotional clip, she quips, “My name is Kimora and I am a hoarder — but a luxury hoarder,” while showcasing her extensive handbag collection.
What ultimately happens to the estate remains unresolved as the legal fight continues.
