Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt has fired his business manager after losing approximately $12.7 million in one of the largest financial fraud schemes in recent Jamaica history.
Bolt clarified in an interview on Friday that his former business manager was fired, ending the previous notion that the two amicably parted ways.
He also made it clear that while the fraud has significantly impacted his finances it is not as severe as most persons are purporting it to be, with some calling the sprint superstar broke.
“I’m not broke, but it’s definitely put a damper on me,” he said. “It was for my future. Everybody knows I have three kids. I’m still looking out for my parents, and I still want to live very well.”
Bolt’s attorneys had given the investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) an ultimatum to return his missing millions within a 10-day period or face legal action.
That 10-day period ended last Friday and Bolt informed the public to anticipate the “expected and unexpected” as it relates to the case.
It is unclear whether his attorneys have commenced the legal process to recoup the funds or whether SSL has started the process of returning the missing funds to him.
Just last week Jamaica’s Minister for Finance and the Public Service Dr the Honourable Nigel Clarke informed the public that their local law-enforcement agencies have reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other international partners to assist them in unravelling the nearly US$19.5 million fraud which has impacted more than 30 clients.
More to come as this story continues to develop.