NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner was sentenced to two years in prison by a judge in a New York court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty in 2018 for his involvement in a multi-billon dollar scandal involving Malaysia's sovereign fund 1MDB.

Leissner's conduct was "brazen and audacious," judge Margo Brodie said during the sentencing. While his cooperation with the government was taken into account, it did not make up for the harm caused by the scandal.

"First and foremost, I offer my sincere apology to the people of Malaysia," Leissner, 55, told the hearing, his voice breaking as he read a statement. "I deeply regret my actions."