Retired Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt says he still loves Jamaica and Jamaicans and that will never change.
Bolt declared that despite recent happenings, Jamaica remains his home and that he will continue to support the country.
The Olympian was speaking at a sponsor’s luncheon for the 2023 Gibson Relays at The Jamaican Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
There remains shock and outrage in Jamaica and elsewhere that Bolt was among investors affected by a massive fraud at investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL)
Bolt has indicated through his lawyer that he had a balance of US$12.7 million at SSL as at October 31, 2022, but that figure declined to US$12,000 on January 11.
The attorneys representing Bolt gave SSL ten days to return the track star’s investments “or face a huge lawsuit”.
A multi-agency probe is being conducted.
The Jamaican government Monday announced that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will assist local authorities in the investigation.
“No stone will be left unturned,” Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke told a news conference as he delivered a special policy address on regulation of the financial sector in response to the scandal that has rocked the nation.
“The investigative authorities have full operational independence and will pursue the facts wherever they may lead. They will unearth exactly how funds were allegedly stolen, who benefited from such theft and who organized and collaborated in this.”
Clarke said the probe will also seek to identify whether assets have been acquired locally or overseas with the proceeds of the alleged fraud and if and when such assets are identified, “all legal steps will be taken to restrain these assets with the intention of full forfeiture”.
Speaking today, Bolt emphasized that his love for his homeland will never change despite current events.
“I will always love my country and do everything in my power to uplift this country no matter what’s going on.”
