Wyclef Jean's Haiti Charity Accused of Diverting Money
Wyclef Jean and his charity, Yele Haiti, are facing new accusations that much of the money raised for earthquake relief was embezzled, allegedly going into his family's pocket.
Yele Haiti secured $16 million in 2010, according to records acquired by the New York Post. The publication claims that only $5.1 million went to emergency relief efforts, a figure that includes food and water relief to refugee camps.
According to the Post, a group called P&A Construction received around $350,000 courtesy of Yele Haiti, a company owned by Jean's brother-in-law Warnel Pierre.
The periodical also says another $1 million went to Amisphere Farm Labor Inc., a company that never filed documents in Florida to do business and is technically nonexistent.
However, the Post says a man known as the company's chief bought significant properties in Florida last year, including a condo in a high-class community by the water.
Jean released a statement saying that while there have been mistakes in the handling of the company, it also has done an immense amount of good that The Post ignored.
"All of these facts as well as photos and testimonials were readily available to the Post for their story. Unfortunately, they chose not to include these facts and instead chose to imply that Yele 'squandered' donors' money. Nothing could be further from the truth," Jean wrote in the statement.
"Finally, the percentage of funds used is consistent with NGOs and not-for-profits operating in Haiti at the time. I have acknowledged that Yele has made mistakes in the past, including being late in IRS filings, but that is old news. When I entered politics last summer, I transitioned from being a board member and chairman of Yele Haiti to a supporter."
"The new and good news is that Yele under new leadership, despite efforts to undermine its credibility and effectiveness, continues its mission to serve people in need" Jean's statement as published in defend.ht reads.
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