Jonathan Stempel, Jody Godoy

NEW YORK (Reuters), A U.S. Judge on Friday stated that a Goldman Sachs (NYSE) former banker in Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scam will face trial in February. The judge expressed his confidence that Omicron coronavirus variant won’t disrupt the trial.

The trial for Roger Ng began the week following the delay by Chief Judge Margo Brodie, Brooklyn federal court. January 18 was the date for jury selection.

Ng was previously the Head of Investment Banking for Goldman Sachs Malaysia. He pleaded not guilty in connection to conspiracy to violate anti-bribery laws and to launder money.

In October 2020, his former employer paid $2.9 billion to have a Malaysian unit confess criminal wrongdoing in settlement of U.S. Department of Justice probes into the alleged theft of billions of dollar from 1MDB.

Ng was delayed by the prosecution until February due to Omicron causing disruptions that could prevent government witnesses travelling from Hong Kong and Singapore.

However, the judge stated that trials were taking place in Brooklyn and that a brief delay would suffice. This is based upon the expectations of the court’s epidemiologist.

Brodie stated that it will be easier to find a good jury because the Epidemiologist predicts the virus’ peak January. “Then, I believe we will be at the bottom of the cycle,” Brodie added.

Ng’s attorneys had opposed any delay in the trial. They claimed that Ng was prepared to continue after spending over three years without his family, since November 2018, when he was arrested in Malaysia. Ng was finally extradited six more months later.

Brodie was told by Marc Agnifilo, Ng’s attorney, that he had spent the past 1,000 days getting ready to face this trial. He then accepted a three-week extension.

Najib Razak was the former prime minister of Malaysia. He created 1MDB for economic development.

Goldman was able to sell bonds of $6.5 Billion for 1MDB. According to authorities, its bankers were paid over $1.6 billion in bribes by 1MDB employees.

U.S. v. Ng. U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York. 18-cr-00538.