Former SSL CEO Zachary Harding declares innocence following fraud charges

Businessman and former chief executive officer of the failed investment firm Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL), Zachary Harding, is declaring his innocence following his arrest and charge in connection with the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud at the company.

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Harding, along with SSL founding director Hugh Croskery and Croskery’s daughter, Sarah Meany, was arrested and charged on Saturday by investigators probing the collapse of the firm, according to the Financial Investigations Division (FID).

All three have been charged with fraudulently inducing persons to invest; failure to register a company carrying on business in Jamaica; carrying on a securities business without a dealer’s licence; failure to apply to the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to be registered for securities issued; and breaches of the Banking Services Act.

In a statement issued Monday night through his attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, Harding said that based on the questioning and information provided by investigators, there was no allegation that he was the beneficiary of, or involved in, any misappropriation of funds or theft from the accounts of Usain Bolt or any other SSL clients.

According to the statement, Harding voluntarily attended the offices of the FID on the afternoon of December 27, 2025, accompanied by his attorney. It noted that since issues at SSL first came to light in 2023, Harding had communicated with police through counsel, assuring investigators of his availability and willingness to assist.

The statement also pushed back against reports suggesting Harding was arrested during a “pre-dawn raid,” stating that the proceedings marked the first time in three years that he had been interviewed by any investigative body.

Harding further maintained that official records from the FSC and the Bank of Jamaica would show that during his tenure he prioritised legal and regulatory compliance, maintained open communication with regulators, and acted under the guidance of legal counsel and independent external auditors. The statement said he proactively engaged the FSC, implemented corrective plans, and worked under regulatory oversight to address issues that predated his involvement with SSL.

“As these matters are now before the court, we will not comment further on any specific evidentiary details and await the dispensation of justice through the courts,” the statement said.

Harding also cautioned against what he described as the spread of misinformation, urging the public to allow the justice system to function based on facts rather than unverified claims.

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