SSL now on Bolt deadline
Sprint icon's attorney says look out for the 'expected and unexpected'
BOLT... fleeced of more than US$12 million

Linton Gordon, one of the attorneys representing Olympian Usain Bolt, on Thursday said the public should look out for the "expected and the unexpected" today — the deadline given to investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) to return more than US$12 million fleeced from the track and field icon's account in what has now been found to be a massive fraud perpetrated for more than a decade.

"There is nothing to say at this stage, given what is happening. Let it stay until the day, because we have some delicate things dealing with. We have met with persons and we are dealing with certain matters," Gordon told the Jamaica Observer in a phone interview.

On January 16 Frater, Binns and Gordon, the law firm representing Bolt, had sent a letter to SSL demanding that US$12,758,181.74 — the reported balance in Bolt's account at October 31, 2022 — be repaid by January 27.

The attorneys also noted that only US$12,000 remained in the account.

BOLT... fleeced of more than US$12 million

Bolt is one of at least 40 SSL clients whose investments were totally or almost wiped out in the fraud estimated to be more than $3 billion so far.

The issue, which has attracted international attention primarily due to the fact that Bolt is a victim, has resulted in the Financial Services Commission (FSC) sending a temporary manager into the company for oversight of its operations.

Additionally, a raft of reforms for the financial sector were announced this week by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, who also cashiered the FSC's executive director and replaced him with the temporary manager Kerron Burrell.

Clarke also replaced four members of the FSC board with senior BOJ executives— Governor Richard Byles, who is now chairman; Wayne Robinson, Jide Lewis, and George Roper.

Additionally, Clarke told the country that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as forensic auditors from overseas, will assist local law enforcement agencies with a probe of the fraud.

Late Wednesday, Clarke disclosed that the FSC was successful in obtaining a court order blocking the directors of SSL from winding up the company and liquidating assets.

According to Clarke, the members of SSL had applied to the Companies Office of Jamaica for a members' voluntary winding up of the firm on January 16, 2023.

The court order bars the trustee and directors of SSL from disposing of or dealing with assets and liabilities in SSL's name; withdrawing, transferring or otherwise dissipating any funds from accounts in its name wherever held; winding up or dissolving the company; or reorganising the company or its operations whether in document form or organisation of its members, assets and liabilities.

Jason Cross

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy