As the Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) probe intensifies, the Financial Investigations Division (FID) is advising that former longtime manager of Usain Bolt, Norman Peart, was never considered a suspect.

The FID, in a joint statement with the Fraud Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) this morning (February 17), explained that Peart, whom Bolt fired, was for his part most cooperative.

“Of note, contrary to reports in some public spaces, Mr Norman Peart cooperated with investigators. He was not considered a suspect nor was he treated as such,” the statement read.

In the meantime, the entire sum of Bolt’s multi-million investment at SSL was “identified and authenticated” by FID sleuths.

The FID stressed that as it is very early in its investigation, statements are still being collected and interviews conducted to unearth the scope of the SSL scandal which has rocked Jamaica since reports first emerged in early January.

At a media briefing on Friday, Jean-Ann Panton—the disgraced former SSL wealth advisor and ‘main suspect’ in the scandal—was slapped with four charges ahead of her first court appearance this afternoon.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Anthony McLaughlin, who heads the JCF’s Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), stated that the following charges were laid against Panton:

• Larceny as a servant
• Uttering forged documents
• Breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) – Engaging in transaction involving criminal property
• Breaches of the Cybercrimes Act – Access with intent to commit fraud