SINGAPORE (Aug 22): Leonardo DiCaprio has abruptly dropped out of hosting a US$33,400-per-guest (S$45,200-per-guest) fundraiser lunch for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at his Hollywood Hills home — just days before the event scheduled on Tuesday.

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, one source with experience planning presidential fundraisers said it would be a "no brainer" to keep DiCaprio away from a Clinton event, amid public scrutiny.

DiCaprio and his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation are facing questions over links to a US$3 billion embezzlement scheme surrounding Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

DiCaprio is reported to be regular drinking buddies with the man at the centre of the 1MDB scandal — Malaysian businessman Jho Low.

While DiCaprio does not have charges brought against him, he is mentioned as “Hollywood Actor 1” in an asset-seizure complaint filed in federal court by the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) against Red Granite Pictures.

US authorities charge that Red Granite, the production company behind DiCaprio's The Wolf of Wall Street, diverted US$100 million away from 1MDB to finance the film.

DOJ is seeking the recovery of more than US$1 billion (S$1.36 billion) worth of assets linked to a conspiracy to launder funds taken from 1MDB.

Red Granite is helmed by Riza Aziz, the step-son of Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, who oversaw the 1MDB fund.

Both Riza and Low were thanked by name in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Golden Globes acceptance speech for best actor.

The Clinton campaign denies the decision is connected to questions DiCaprio and his foundation are facing over ties to 1MDB, according to reports.

DiCaprio’s camp says the actor dropped out of the fundraiser due to work-related commitments that will keep him in New York until Wednesday, a day after the planned fundraiser.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have been roped in to take over as hosts for the event, which will be held at their nearby residence.