Photo Courtesy of Nationwide National News
It looks like Usain Bolt has gotten to the bottom of his missing $12.7 million.
Jamaica-based Nationwide News Network reported that Stocks & Security Limited employee Jean-Ann Panton– a client relationship manager– admitted to stealing money ranging in the millions from the organization’s customers for years. Panton signed a sworn affidavit detailing how she swindled funds from unsuspecting Stocks & Security Limited clients.
Earlier this month, the 25-year investment firm employee’s scam was uncovered by private investigators. Panton has yet to give a statement to the Financial Services Commission and Jamaican authorities.
Although she doesn’t know how the disgraced employee promised she would pay the stolen money back.
A series of unfortunate events apparently caused the woman to go down the road of thievery. Initially, Panton’s plan to bilk the firm’s customers reportedly came into play in 2010 when the woman’s father became sick. The cancer-ridden man’s medical expenses were covered by his daughter with Stocks & Security Limited client’s money. Her job as a client relationship manager had her interacting with them while Panton handled their deposits and payments. Her father died in 2013, and she also allegedly used funds to pay for his funeral and burial. In total, 40 customers were taken in the multi-millionaire dollar cash grab.
The employee also claimed that her brother tried to murder their mother and was later committed to a facility. Panton paid for that expense with her clients’ money. She kept up her scam going even through the pandemic.
News Onyx initially reported that Bolt, along with his attorney, Linton P. Gordon, served the Jamaican investment firm a letter giving the organization 10 days to return $12.7 million that was stolen from him earlier this month.
“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,” he said, referencing the Olympic medalist.
Stocks & Security Limited issued a statement referencing the scandalous debacle.
“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.”
Hopefully, Bolt will have his money soon.
Panton hasn’t yet been brought up on charges.