Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt splits from business manager amid fraud case: report

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Retired Jamaican superstar sprinter Usain Bolt told reporters on Friday that he is seeking answers after $12.7 million went missing.

Authorities are investigating a private investment firm as part of an alleged large-scale fraud operation.

Bolt invested millions in the company and fired its business manager in response to the ongoing investigation.

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Usain Bolt’s farewell ceremony at the London Stadium in London on August 13, 2017.
(REUTERS/Phil Noble)

Bolt mentioned that the parting ways was not amicable, and shrugged at the thought that he was now “broke”.

“I’m not broke, but it’s definitely slowed me down,” he said. “It was for my future. Everyone knows that I have three children. I am still taking care of my parents and I still want to live very well.”

Bolt’s lawyers said the athlete’s account with Kingston-based Stocks and Securities Limited was reduced from nearly $12.8 million to about $12,000. They had threatened legal action if the funds were not returned by Friday. It was not clear as of Saturday if any legal action had been taken.

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Bolt told the Jamaica Observer newspaper that the public should anticipate the “expected and the unexpected” in the case.

“There is nothing to say at this stage, given what is happening,” he was quoted as saying. “We have met with people and we are discussing certain issues.”

Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 4x100 meter relay final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates winning the gold medal in the men’s 4×100 meter relay final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The legendary Olympic sprinter noted that several government agencies and senior citizens were also affected by the alleged fraud. It’s unclear how many overall customers were affected and how much money is missing in total.

“It’s always a sad situation. Definitely disappointed,” Bolt said of the affected elderly. “Everyone is confused… I am just as confused as the public.”

Jamaican authorities requested the help of the FBI and other unnamed international experts, adding that customers received false statements about their balances as part of the alleged fraud.

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On Friday, Bolt brought up the alleged fraud during a scheduled appearance at a luncheon.

Retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt speaks during an interview in Tokyo on December 1, 2022.

Retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt speaks during an interview in Tokyo on December 1, 2022.
(AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

“As everyone knows, I’ve had a tough week, some tough weeks,” he said, adding that he would continue to do whatever he can to lift up his home island.

“No matter what is happening right now, Jamaica is my country. That will never change.”

Stocks and Securities contacted police earlier this month to report that a manager had apparently committed fraud.

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Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness previously announced that his administration would not bail out the company.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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