SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Lawyers for Usain Bolt, one of the world’s top sprinters, said Wednesday that more than $12.7 million is missing from his account at a private investment firm in Jamaica that authorities are investigating.
Attorney Linton P. Gordon provided The Associated Press with a copy of a letter sent to Stocks & Securities Limited demanding the money be returned.
Gordon said Bolt’s account once had $12.8 million, but now reflects a balance of just $12,000.
“If this is true, and we hope it is not, then a serious act of theft by deception or a combination of the two has been committed against our client,” Bolt’s lawyers said in the letter.
They are threatening civil and criminal charges if the money is not returned within 10 days.
Stocks & Securities Limited did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On its website, the company asked customers to direct all urgent inquiries to the Financial Services Commission of Jamaica, which is investigating the firm.
“We understand that customers are eager to receive more information and we assure you that we are closely monitoring the matter through all necessary steps and will alert our customers of the decision as soon as this information is available,” the company said.
The company said it discovered the fraud earlier this month and that several of its customers may be missing millions of dollars.
Jamaica’s Finance Minister Nigel Clark called the situation alarming but noted it was unusual.
“It’s tempting to question our financial institutions, but I would ask that we not paint an entire hard-working industry with the brush of a few very dishonest individuals,” he said.
Bolt’s lawyers sent the letter on Monday, the same day Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission announced it was appointing a special auditor to look into allegations of fraud at Stocks & Securities Limited, which is based in the capital Kingston.
On Tuesday, financial authorities said they were taking over the private equity firm on an interim basis. It is allowed to continue operating but needs government approval for any transactions.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
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