According to Bolt’s legal team, the hacked account was part
of his Bolt’s retirement and lifetime savings.
“It’s distressing news for anyone, and certainly in the case
of Mr Bolt, who established this account as part of his private pension.
“We will be going to court with the matter” if the company
does not return the funds,” his lawyer, Linton P. Gordon, told Fortune
magazine.
“It is a grave disappointment, and we are hoping that the
matter will be resolved in a way that Mr Bolt will recover his money and be
able to live in peace.”
The track star’s lawyers said they are ready to file a
lawsuit if that will make it possible to recover the lost money that
mysteriously disappeared from Bolt’s account.
They threatened civil and criminal action if the money is
not returned within 10 days.
Stocks & Securities Limited did not immediately respond
to a request for comment. On its website, the company asked that clients direct
all urgent queries to Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission, which is investigating
the firm.
The company has 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 minister, Nigel Clarke, called
the situation alarming but noted it was unusual.
The Associated Press had reported that Mr Bolt’s account
with the company was created to act as a pension for both of his parents and
the eight-time Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records for the
100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters.
His net worth is estimated to be $90million, according to
Celebrity Net Worth.
At the height of his career, in 2015 and 2016, the 6ft 4in
sprinter was thought to be earning more than $31million a year, Sportskeeda
reports.
Bolt is the brand ambassador of Puma, earning him around
$10million annually during his running days.
Despite retiring five years ago, Bolt still earns some
$4million per year for wearing its clothing.