The attorney representing Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has strongly condemned attempts to shift blame onto his client for the disappearance of his initial investment of USD$6 million from his Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) account. In a scathing statement, attorney Linton P. Gordon rejected claims that Bolt was negligent in making the investment and accused the government of failing to protect investors from the financial fraud that has rocked Jamaica.
Gordon refuted allegations that Bolt’s funds never made it to SSL, emphasizing that all transactions were properly recorded and acknowledged by the investment firm. “The allegations being circulated in the public that not all of Mr. Usain Bolt’s funds that were sent to Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) were received by the institution are false, baseless, and entirely without credibility,” he stated. “All funds lodged at SSL by Mr. Bolt’s company were transferred via bank transactions, and each and every payment was acknowledged by the institution in writing.”
Gordon highlighted that Ken Tomlinson, the Financial Services Commission (FSC)-appointed temporary manager of SSL, had verified these lodgements in the Supreme Court. “Therefore, any suggestion that funds from Mr. Bolt’s company, Welljen Ltd, did not reach SSL is inaccurate and without merit,” he added.
The attorney took aim at those implying that Bolt’s financial management was careless, pointing out that SSL was an FSC-approved and regulated institution. “The Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Government of Jamaica, and hundreds of Jamaican citizens invested in SSL—an institution which was approved and regulated by the government,” Gordon argued. “To suggest that Mr. Bolt was careless or lacked proper financial management is to imply the same about every Jamaican who has invested in a government-approved financial institution,” he stated.
“The allegations being circulated in the public that not all of Mr. Usain Bolt’s funds that were sent to Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) were received by the institution are false, baseless, and entirely without credibility,” Attorney Gordon stated.
Gordon further claimed that there is an orchestrated effort to deflect responsibility away from those accountable for the fraud and to manipulate public perception. “There now appears to be an organized effort to shift blame onto The Honorable Usain Bolt for his loss—when he is guilty of nothing more than investing in the country that he loves,” he asserted. “This is a textbook case of victim-blaming and appears to be an attempt to absolve the government of its failure to protect the public and those defrauded by SSL,” Gordon said.
The attorney also raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the government’s forensic investigation into the SSL fraud. He noted that while the government had enlisted experts from the United States and the United Kingdom to conduct audits, Bolt and his legal team had not been privy to the findings. “The results of these audits and investigations have not been shared with Mr. Bolt or his attorneys,” Gordon stated. “However, based on reports circulating in the media, it appears that parts of the investigation are being selectively leaked to certain media houses, including what purports to be information concerning our client’s account at SSL—information that is confidential and entitled to protection under the law.”
The missing funds, which are said now to be at USD$12 million, were the subject of a high-level probe by international forensic investigators, including UK-based Kroll Associates. Investigators reportedly found that a significant portion of Bolt’s investment never even made it into his SSL account but was instead stolen before being lodged. This shocking revelation, first reported by Nationwide News Network, has further complicated Bolt’s prospects of recovering his money.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is still awaiting crucial documentation from the Financial Investigations Division (FID) to determine whether additional individuals connected to SSL will face criminal charges. Currently, Jean-Ann Panton, a former SSL employee, remains the only individual formally charged. Panton allegedly confessed to fabricating financial records and deceiving multiple clients, including Bolt, over several years.
Earlier this week, Bolt expressed his frustration over the sluggish pace of the investigation while appearing on the popular podcast ‘The Fix.’ The world-renowned sprinter made it clear that he believes the Jamaican government holds the key to resolving the matter and ensuring justice for all affected investors. “I am beyond frustrated,” Bolt admitted. “I believe the government can do more to assist me in getting my money back.”
As Bolt’s legal team considers further legal actions, the track icon’s battle for justice continues, with lingering questions about accountability and the fate of the missing millions.