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Model and fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons is facing intense legal pressure as federal investigators and liquidators accuse her of refusing to vacate a $25 million Beverly Hills estate allegedly purchased with embezzled funds. According to court filings made public on February 16, 2026, the mansion is tied to the ongoing international recovery efforts involving her ex-husband, former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner.
The property is alleged to be one of the many assets acquired using money siphoned from the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) sovereign wealth fund. Leissner, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, has been a central figure in what authorities call one of the largest financial heists in history. Prosecutors contend that millions of dollars in stolen capital were channeled into luxury real estate and business ventures for Simmons during their marriage.
Legal representatives for the Malaysian government and the recovery task force filed a motion on Monday, claiming that Simmons has ignored multiple “notice to quit” orders. The filings suggest that while Simmons was not a defendant in the original criminal proceedings, the property itself is subject to forfeiture as it is considered “proceeds of a crime.” The task force argues that her continued occupancy is hindering the liquidation process required to reimburse the victims of the multibillion-dollar fraud.
Simmons has consistently denied any personal wrongdoing or knowledge of the illicit origins of the funds. Her legal team previously characterized the attempts to seize her assets as “unfair targeting” and argued that the Beverly Hills residence was a legitimate acquisition. However, the latest escalation suggests that the court’s patience has worn thin, with the task force now seeking a formal eviction order to gain possession of the state.
The dispute over the Beverly Hills mansion is just one facet of a broader legal battle. In 2024, a judge ordered the forfeiture of Simmons’ shares in the energy drink company Celsius, also citing their connection to Leissner’s illegal activities. As the 1MDB recovery efforts enter their final stages in 2026, the pressure on high-profile associates to relinquish luxury assets has reached a fever pitch. If the eviction order is granted, Simmons could be forced to vacate the premises by the end of the quarter.