Usain Bolt: "12.7 million dollars disappeared from my bank account" | Israel today

Usain Bolt's lawyer said today (Wednesday) that more than 12.7 million dollars are missing from his account at a private investment company in Jamaica. 

Lynton Gordon, Bolt's lawyer, provided The Associated Press with a copy of a letter sent to SSL demanding the return of the money.

Gordon said the Olympic champion's account once had $12.8 million, but now only has a balance of $12,000. 

"If this is true, and we hope it is not, then a serious act of theft, fraud or a combination of both has been committed against our client," Bolt's lawyers say in the letter.

SSL did not provide a response to the allegations, the company asked to refer all questions to the Financial Services Commission of Jamaica, which is investigating the company. 

"We understand that customers are concerned about getting more information and assure you that we are closely monitoring the matter throughout all the required steps, and we will inform our customers of the decision as soon as this information is available," the company said in a statement.

The company added that it discovered the fraud earlier this month and that some of its customers may be missing millions of dollars. 

Jamaica's finance minister, Nigel Clark, called the situation alarming but noted it was unusual.

"It's tempting to question our financial institutions, but I ask that we not paint an entire hard-working industry with the brush of a few very dishonest people," he said. 

Bolt's lawyers sent the letter on Monday, the same day the Financial Services Commission of Jamaica announced it was appointing a special auditor to look into the fraud allegations at SSL.

Yesterday, the financial authorities announced that they are taking over the temporary management of the private investment company.

It will be allowed to continue operating but needs approval from the government for all transactions. 

Bolt is considered one of the greatest track athletes of all time and holds world records in the 100, 200 and 4x100 meter relays.

The 36-year-old sprinter retired in 2017, and still has several sponsors.

In 2016 alone, he earned $33 million from endorsements, prize money and entry fees, easily making him the highest-paid track athlete in the world. 

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