Usain Bolt seeks missing $12.7 million from Jamaica investment firm
KINGSTON— Olympic champion Usain Bolt is seeking to recover more than $12.7 million that disappeared from his account at an investment firm in Jamaica and is ready to take the case to court if necessary, his attorneys said. Bolt said.
Bolt was told last week that his account balance at Kingston-based Stocks and Securities Ltd (SSL) had inexplicably dropped to just $12,000, attorney Linton Gordon told Reuters late Tuesday. .
“We’ll take the matter to court” if the company doesn’t return the money, says Gordon.
“It’s been a huge disappointment, and we hope that the matter will be resolved in such a way that Mr Bolt will get his money back and be able to live in peace.”
SSL said in a statement on January 12 that it became aware of fraudulent activity by a former employee and referred the matter to law enforcement, adding that it had taken steps to secure assets and strengthen protocols.
SSL did not immediately respond to emails or phone calls requesting further comment.
The Jamaica Police Force said on Monday that its fraud and financial investigation teams were probing “alleged fraudulent activities at (SSL) that are believed to have affected Mr. Bolt among other individuals.”
Finance Minister Nigel Clarke said on Tuesday night that SSL has been accused of committing “alarming and vile fraud” and authorities will “bring all perpetrators to justice”.
Gordon said Bolt’s account is intended to serve as an allowance for the eight-time Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter and for his parents.
Bolt retired in 2017 after dominating the global sprint for a decade, revived the sport plagued by doping scandals and became household names like Brazilian soccer legend Pele and American boxing champion Muhammad Ali. .
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