SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Lawyers for retired sprinter Usain Bolt on Wednesday said that more than $12.7 million is missing from his account with a private investment firm in Jamaica and 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 said in the letter.
They have threatened civil and criminal action if the money is not returned within 10 days.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records for the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100 meters.
Stocks & Securities Limited did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Jamaica's Financial Services Commission is investigating the firm.
"We understand that clients are anxious to receive more information and assure you that we are closely monitoring the matter throughout all the required steps and will alert our clients of the resolution as soon as that information is available,'' the company said on its website.
The company 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.
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.
Src: ESPN
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