Russell Simmons is suing his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and her current husband Tim Leissner for using Celsius energy drink shares Simmons purchased to pay for Leissner’s legal fees.
In a complaint filed earlier this week, Simmons accused the couple of fraudulently transferring 4 million of Simmons’ Celsius stocks to themselves, reported People Magazine.
In November 2018, Leissner pleaded guilty to racketeering after he was caught stealing billions from 1MDB, a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, while he was a partner at Goldman Sachs, per Forbes. He also agreed to forfeit almost $44 million in retribution. Simmons believes his Celsius shares were used to pay for that debt. The transfer happened in 2018, but it wasn’t discovered until the following year.
“Knowing full well that Defendant Leissner would need tens of millions of dollars to avoid jail time, stay out on bail and forfeit monies for victim compensation, Defendants engaged in this blatant fraud to achieve that nefarious and unlawful goal,” the lawsuit stated.
In a letter quoted by the lawsuit, Simmons claims he expected more from his ex-wife because of their familial bond.
“Throughout my entire decades-long partnership with you, I’ve done everything and anything to protect and promote our family. I have never said no to any request and have always gone against my own council to offer up much more than any judge would ever require of me in order to keep the peace,” the music mogul wrote.
The Def Jam founder also claimed this lawsuit was a last resort.
“I am shocked and saddened to see how your side has behaved in response to my repeated attempts to get an agreement from you to rightfully and legally reaffirm my 50% of the Celsius shares which have been locked up with the government after being used for your husband’s bail money,” the letter continued.
Simmons wants his shares back, punitive damages and requested the couple pay for his legal fees. In his letter, he urged Lee to do the right thing so everyone can “put it behind us and carry on as the loving, united front we have always been,” reported The Blast.
Simmons and Lee were married in 1998 and separated in 2006. Their divorce was finalized in 2009. They have two daughters, 21-year-old Aoki and 18-year-old Ming. Lee married Leissner in 2013, and they have two sons together. Lee also has an 11-year-old son with ex-partner Djimon Hounsou.
