Confession Was Premised on an Offer’: Woman at the Center of Fraud Scandal That Swiped Millions from Usain Bolt’s Wealth Says Former Boss Bribed Her to Take the Fall…

‘Confession Was Premised on an Offer’: Woman at the Center of Fraud Scandal That Swiped Millions from Usain Bolt’s Wealth Says Former Boss Bribed Her to Take the Fall

 

In a dramatic twist to the ongoing fraud case involving Usain Bolt, Jean-Ann Panton, the former client relationship manager at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), has alleged that her initial confession was coerced through promises made by her former employer, Hugh Croskery.

This assertion has added complexity to the legal proceedings, as Panton now contends that her admission of guilt was not voluntary but was influenced by inducements from Croskery, who allegedly acted on behalf of SSL. Panton’s legal team has filed a defense in the Supreme Court of Jamaica, challenging the validity of her earlier confession and urging the court to scrutinize the circumstances under which it was obtained .

The fraud case has garnered international attention, particularly due to the involvement of Usain Bolt, who discovered in January 2023 that his investment account with SSL had dwindled from over $12 million to a mere $12,000.

This revelation led to widespread scrutiny of SSL’s operations and prompted the Jamaican government to enlist the assistance of international agencies, including the FBI, to investigate the matter .

Panton, who had been employed at SSL for over 25 years, initially admitted to embezzling funds from numerous clients over several years.

She detailed how she created false statements to mislead clients about the actual balances in their accounts. However, her recent claims suggest that her confession was influenced by promises from Croskery, casting doubt on the integrity of her earlier statements. Croskery has denied these allegations, asserting that no such inducements were offered .

The case has raised questions about corporate governance and the responsibilities of financial institutions in safeguarding clients’ assets.

As the legal proceedings continue, the court will need to determine the veracity of Panton’s claims and assess the extent of responsibility held by SSL and its executives in the alleged fraud. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for financial regulatory practices in Jamaica and beyond.