Attorneys say Usain Bolt missing over $12.7M US from account with private firm

Lawyers for Usain Bolt, one of the world's greatest sprinters, said Wednesday that more than $12.7 million US is missing from his account with 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 that the money be returned.

Gordon said Bolt's account once had $12.8 million but now reflects a balance of only $12,000.

"If this is correct, and we are hoping it is not, then a serious act of fraud, larceny or a combination of both have been committed against our client," Bolt's attorneys say in the letter.

They threaten civil and criminal action 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 that clients direct all urgent queries to Jamaica's Financial Services Commission, which is investigating the firm.

The company has said that it discovered the fraud earlier this month and that several of its clients may be missing millions of dollars.

Jamaica's finance minister, Nigel Clarke, called the situation alarming but noted it was unusual.

"It is tempting to doubt our financial institutions, but I would ask that we don't paint an entire hard working industry with the brush of a few very dishonest individuals," he said.

Bolt's lawyers sent the letter Monday, the same day that Jamaica's Financial Services Commission announced it was appointing a special auditor to look into fraud allegations at Stocks & Securities Limited, which is based in the capital of Kingston.

On Tuesday, financial authorities said they were assuming temporary management of the private investment firm. It is allowed to keep operating but needs approval from the government for any transactions.

Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records for the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100 meters.