The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
On 22 October 2020 the US Department of Justice said Goldman Sachs would pay more than US$2.9 billion. The parent entered a deferred prosecution agreement and its Malaysian unit pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New YorkS1. Goldman's 2026 filing says the charge against the parent was dismissed on 6 May 2024 under that agreementS4. In 2020 Goldman agreed to pay Malaysia US$2.5 billion and guaranteed at least US$1.4 billion in asset recoveriesS2. Goldman started arbitration against Malaysia in October 2023. In August 2025 Malaysia demanded a final payment of about US$1 billion, which Goldman disputesS5S3.
- Also known as
- Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., GS Malaysia
- Headquarters
- United States
- Records from
- United States, Malaysia
- Current status
- The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an operating US bank holding company. Its 10-Q for the quarter to 30 June 2026 says its arbitration against the Government of Malaysia over the 1MDB asset guarantee is ongoingS5.
Scope. This record covers only Goldman Sachs and the 1MDB bond deals. It does not assess the separate cases against former Goldman bankers or other people charged over 1MDB.
Claims assessed
3 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported91The US Department of Justice said in October 2020 that Goldman Sachs conspired to pay more than US$1.6 billion in bribes in connection with 1MDB bond deals.Regulator statement, 22 October 20204 records citedBribery
- Outdated75Goldman's July 2020 agreement with the Government of Malaysia settled their 1MDB dispute on terms of a US$2.5 billion payment and a US$1.4 billion asset recovery guarantee.Company statement, 24 July 20204 records citedCorporate status
- Unresolved52Malaysia's 1MDB Taskforce said Malaysia is entitled to a US$250 million interim payment from Goldman under the 2020 settlement.Press report, Date not shown on page4 records citedCorporate status
Cases and proceedings
- United States v. Goldman Sachs (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Criminal. Not published on the release we read.Stage: Final. GS Malaysia sentenced 9 June 2021 and the charge against the parent dismissed 6 May 2024 under the DPA, per GoldmanS4
- The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. v Government of MalaysiaArbitral tribunal (forum not named in Goldman's filing, reported by Bloomberg as a London arbitration court). Arbitration. Not published.Stage: Ongoing as of the 10-Q filed 3 August 2026S5
Responses on record
- Goldman Sachs, 3 August 2026, on Malaysia's 1MDB Taskforce said Malaysia is entitled to a US$250 million interim payment fr...
Goldman said Malaysia has recovered more than US$1.4 billion in creditable assets and no payment should be required.S5
- Goldman Sachs, Date not shown on page, on Goldman's July 2020 agreement with the Government of Malaysia settled their 1MDB dispute o...
Goldman said Malaysia violated its obligations and that it seeks to credit assets against its guarantee.S3
Revision history
- Profile and 3 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- S4Tier B Legal ProceedingsThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Form 10-Q filed with the SEC). Company filing. 3 August 2026.Note 27 of the 10-Q for the quarter to 30 June 2026. Supports the 2020 settlement agreement date, the GS Malaysia sentence and the May 2024 dismissal. Company account only.
- S5Tier B Commitments, Contingencies and GuaranteesThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Form 10-Q filed with the SEC). Company filing. 3 August 2026.Note 18 of the same 10-Q. Supports the October 2023 arbitration, the August 2025 demand and Goldman's position. It does not name the arbitral forum.
- S3Tier C Goldman sues Malaysia as 1MDB settlement dispute escalatesThe Edge Singapore (Bloomberg). Press report. Date not shown on page.Bloomberg copy quoting Goldman and the 1MDB Taskforce on the arbitration and the interim payment term. The page shows no date and no named reporter, and the arbitration is confirmed in Goldman's SEC filing.
- S1Tier A Goldman Sachs Charged in Foreign Bribery Case and Agrees to Pay Over $2.9 BillionUS Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. Regulator press release. 22 October 2020.Supports the DPA, the GS Malaysia plea, the bribe figure and the US$2.9 billion total. It does not state the DPA term or its later dismissal.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S2Tier B Goldman Sachs Announcement on Agreement with Government of MalaysiaGoldman Sachs. Company statement. 24 July 2020.Company account of the July 2020 agreement in principle. It does not mention an interim payment term.Link working, checked 25 October 2026