Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt has marked the one-year milestone because the monetary controversy involving funding agency Shares and Securities Restricted (SSL).
In a 22-second video shared throughout his social media platforms on Thursday, the retired world document holder cryptically said, “One yr in the past at this time, however simply know nonetheless a maintain agency.”
The reference is believed to tie into the anniversary of the multi-billion-dollar fraud at SSL, the place hundreds of thousands reportedly vanished from Bolt’s account, prompting a complete fraud investigation.
Whereas Bolt didn’t explicitly tackle the SSL fraud in his social media put up, he expressed gratitude to his supporters.”Simply need to let you realize I’m nonetheless right here, nonetheless preventing the struggle, holding on, at all times going to remain robust. You understand how the nation youths do it,” he stated.
Acknowledging the backing from his followers, Bolt concluded his message with a peace signal gesture, “To all of the folks supporting me, proceed to assist. It’s nothing however love, alright.”
Notably, Usain Bolt has taken authorized motion towards SSL by way of his firm Welljen Restricted, with the case at the moment residing within the Civil Division of the Supreme Courtroom in downtown Kingston.
What’s the most recent on SSL?
Jean-Ann Panton, a former wealth advisor at SSL, is the one particular person charged up to now in connection to the incident, which made headlines on January 12, 2023.
On December 6, 2023, Jean-Ann Panton made her newest court docket look by way of video hyperlink on the Dwelling Circuit Courtroom in downtown Kingston. Coincidentally, that very same morning, the Monetary Investigations Division (FID) issued a press release revealing that over 200 affected accounts and a staggering US$30 million had been linked to fraudulent actions inside SSL shoppers’ funds.
The FID’s ongoing probe has unearthed “potential prison and regulatory breaches” involving each SSL and people related to it, distinct from the present court docket case involving Panton. In the identical month, the FID submitted a file to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn. Nevertheless, as of now, there isn’t any data on whether or not she has advisable charging different people with prison offenses associated to the case.
Panton, going through fees for her alleged involvement within the SSL fraud, is accused of a number of violations of the Larceny Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the Forgery Act, and the Cyber Crimes Act. A case administration listening to is scheduled to proceed on Might 27, 2024, with Panton remaining in custody till then.
Usain Bolt, one of many over 200 buyers impacted by the fraud, has not been explicitly talked about within the 23 official statements obtained by the FID from affected people and entities. Regardless of the substantial scale of the alleged fraud and quite a few appeals, it stays unsure whether or not the retired sprinter is amongst those that have offered statements to investigators concerning the case.
