Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Monday; SSL Scandal; Klansman Summation; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Monday, January 23, 2023 SSL probe deepens as former boss distances self from scandal Investigators attached to the Fraud Squad and the Financial Investigations Division will today intensify their probe into the massive $3 billion fraud at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), even as a former chief executive officer (CEO), Zachary Harding, is [distancing himself from the scandal engulfing the investment firm](. The questions are also mounting as to the [level of oversight the Financial Services Commission (FSC) provided]( at SSL which it described as a “problem institution” as far back as 2017. Yet, investigators believe the fraud spanned more than 10 years, affecting dozens of clients including sprint legend Usain Bolt whose account has been [fleeced of US$12.7 billion]( or approximately J$2 billion. An ex-employee, wealth advisor Jean-Ann Panton [who had two premises searched by investigators for several hours last Friday]( was the only SSL employee to handle Bolt’s account, according to Harding who served as CEO from September 2019-June 2022. Panton has admitted taking money from clients’ accounts without their consent but has not said that she took money from Bolt’s account. "I have nothing to hide. My heart is clear and my conscience is free," Harding said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday. He also stated that during his two years and nine months (September 2019 – June 2022) at the helm of SSL, he was never told that Bolt had an account with the company. Harding said he is "shocked and disappointed" at what is unfolding at SSL as he has been learning about it in the media “just like everybody else”. "For clarity, I resigned from SSL last year June so anything after that I am totally unaware of. I sit on no boards, I sit on no committees; I'm not a shareholder of SSL," said Harding. Summation of Klansman trial begins Chief Justice Bryan Sykes will today begin the [long-awaited summation of the Klansman trial]( in the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston. The day’s proceeding is set to get underway at 10:00am in courtroom # 1. The summation in the trial which started on September 20, 2021, should have started last November. However, Court Administration Jamaica (CAD) advised that it had been [postponed until the Hilary Term of the Home Circuit Court](. CAD said the delay was necessary because of the volume of evidence that is being reviewed, as well as the administrative responsibilities of Sykes who has been hearing the matter. On trial is alleged gang leader, Andre “Blackman” Bryan and his 27 co-accused. They are being tried under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations Act), 2014, also called the anti-gang law, on an indictment containing several counts, including murder, extortion and arson. The offences were allegedly committed between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2019, mainly in St Catherine, with at least one murder committed in St Andrew. The defence wrapped up its final arguments last September in the trial that has experienced numerous delays, including from multiple defendants and the chief justice contracting COVID-19. The trial started with 33 defendants but five were freed due to insufficient evidence against them while another who was out on bail [was shot and killed](. Aubyn Hill in Guyana for trade mission Following its [trade mission to Guyana last October]( the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), headed by Senator Aubyn Hill, is again in the South American country to [explore export and investment opportunities](. The mission will run from today, January 23 until January 28. MIIC has informed that this second mission seeks to “capitalise on the successes of the October mission". "The mission will be in alignment with the GOJ's [Government of Jamaica] and the ministry's objectives to grow export sales, facilitate deeper market penetration and sustainable export growth of services," says a Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro) document. The current mission includes representatives of Jampro, Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation and 45 private sector entities. At least 59 individuals from the private sector will participate in the mission. While in Guyana, the delegation will explore opportunities across multiple sectors including construction, banking and finance, technology, research and data, agriculture, and manufacturing. "Guyana continues to be an important market for Jamaican goods, particularly animal feed, alcoholic beverages and food items such as flour," Jampro said. Advertisement Western alliance backing Ukraine ponders Russian threat The western alliance backing Ukraine in its near one-year-old [war against its more powerful neighbour, Russia]( is today, having to consider the latest threat from Moscow as divisions arise over whether it should supply tanks to the Ukranians. While European powers and the United States could not agree who should provide the tanks and what type, the speaker of the lower house of Russia’s parliament has warned that countries supplying Ukraine with more powerful weapons risked their own destruction. The speaker’s message followed new pledges of armored vehicles, air defense systems and other equipment but not the battle tanks Kyiv requested. Ukraine’s supporters pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine during a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday, though the new commitments were overshadowed by a failure to agree on Ukraine’s urgent request for German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said that governments giving more powerful weapons to Ukraine could cause a “global tragedy that would destroy their countries.” “Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe,” he said. “If Washington and NATO supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and making attempts to seize our territory as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons.” Tennis: Djokovic continues bid for 10th Australian Open title Novak Djokovic will continue [his bid for a record-extending 10th Australian Open men's singles title]( against home favourite Alex de Minaur in the fourth round on day eight in Melbourne. The former world number one defied ongoing hamstring troubles in the third round to beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets and record his 24th successive win at the Grand Slam. "It's really a rollercoaster," said Djokovic of his injury problems. "I'm just very grateful that I'm actually able to play," he added. "The way it looked just before the tournament started, I thought that it wouldn't be possible. I'm still here and still holding on." The Serb, 35, is bidding to reach his 13th quarter-final at Melbourne Park, where he has not lost since 2018. That winning streak includes three successive titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021 before he was forced to miss last year's tournament after his visa was cancelled. The reigning Wimbledon champion can return to world number one if he wins a record-equalling 22nd major men's singles title - and, injury permitting, he is favourite to do so. But he must first overcome 23-year-old Australian De Minaur and a partisan home support on Rod Laver Arena to reach the last eight. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Jamaicans who call Ghana home find peace and happiness When Jamaicans consider migrating, they often look to North America or Europe, mostly ignoring Africa – where 90 per cent of the Caribbean island’s population can trace their roots. However, a number of Jamaicans who have gone against the grain and are now living in Ghana, are [touting the wonders of the West African country and its people](. Spirited personality behind Jamaican centenarian’s longevity Even at 100 years old, [George Quallo continues to be a spirited personality]( according to those who know him best. AP sources: Biden to pick Zients as his next chief of staff WASHINGTON (AP) — [President Joe Biden]( is expected to name Jeff Zients, who ran the administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of Biden's term, as his next chief of staff, according to two people familiar with the matter. Biden's current top aide, Ron Klain, is preparing to leave the job in the coming weeks. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY ABC begins mini-series 'Roots' On January 23, 1977, the TV mini-series 'Roots', based on the Alex Haley novel, began airing on ABC. For more stories, visit our website at www.jamaicaobserver.com or [sign up for our e-paper](. [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Website]( Copyright © 2023 Jamaica Observer, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 40 - 42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue Kingston 5 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.