Overview:
As a part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts, Haitian judicial authorities have ordered the arrest of former Nationwide Insurance coverage Workplace (ONA) director Jemley Marc Jean-Baptiste and former Nationwide Faculty Canteen Program coordinator Phanèse Laguerre. Police additionally arrested Élionor Devallon, the present director of the Social Help Fund, however haven’t but disclosed the fees in opposition to the pinnacle of the CAS.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian police have arrested two former high-ranking officers and one present director as a part of ongoing corruption investigations led by the nation’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). Authorities say the arrests comply with judicial orders issued in late January and early February in response to alleged large-scale embezzlement and abuse of workplace.
The detained officers embrace Jemley Marc Jean-Baptiste, former director normal of the Nationwide Insurance coverage Workplace (ONA), Phanèse Laguerre, former coordinator of the Nationwide Faculty Canteen Program (PNCS), and Élionor Devallon, present director normal of the Social Help Fund (CAS). The police haven’t but disclosed the fees in opposition to the pinnacle of the CAS.
Jean-Baptiste and Laguerre accused of misappropriating hundreds of thousands
Choose Loubens Élysée ordered Jean-Baptiste’s arrest on Feb. 7 after investigators discovered that, underneath his management, ONA issued greater than 5 million gourdes (roughly $39,000) in unlawful funds to 4 suppliers on the request of former Social Affairs and Labor Minister Pierre Ricot Odney. Moreover, 22 million gourdes ($168,000) had been unlawfully transferred from ONA to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) to settle money owed associated to meals and sanitation kits bought in December 2021.
A ULCC report discovered that the suppliers lacked legitimate tax registrations and operational licenses. It additionally revealed that ONA withheld income taxes from these corporations however by no means transferred them to Haiti’s tax authority (DGI).
Jean-Baptiste is additional accused of circumventing procurement laws by spending 61 million gourdes ($466,000) on automobile leases with out approval from the Nationwide Public Procurement Fee (CNMP). The Superior Courtroom of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) has deemed these transactions unlawful.
Laguerre, who was arrested on Jan. 31 underneath an order from Choose Marthel Jean-Claude, is accused of embezzling greater than $1.9 million meant for college meals applications. Investigators centered on PNCS meals purchases between October 2016 and February 2021, uncovering that 382 million gourdes ($2.9 million) had been allotted underneath suspicious circumstances.
The ULCC discovered that a number of suppliers contracted underneath Laguerre had no bodily addresses or authorized registrations, elevating issues about shell corporations getting used to divert funds.
“This scheme resulted in a big lack of public funds and blatant conflicts of curiosity,” the ULCC report acknowledged, recommending an audit and the restitution of funds mismanaged throughout Laguerre’s tenure.
Haitian police arrest present CAS director
The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) arrested Élionor Devallon, the director normal of CAS, on Jan. 30. Authorities haven’t publicly disclosed the rationale for his arrest, however hypothesis suggests it’s linked to corruption or organized crime.
Devallon, who was appointed in August 2024, had served as deputy assistant director of CAS for eight years. The DCPJ is investigating his administration of Haiti’s social safety applications. He’s the second CAS director to be arrested in recent times, following the detention of Edwine Tonton on corruption-related fees.
Haiti’s judicial system underneath stress for corruption response
The latest arrests are a part of broader efforts by the ULCC and the DCPJ to carry public officers accountable. Earlier than these instances, the judicial police had additionally detained Magalie Habitant, former director of the Nationwide Stable Waste Administration Service (SNGRS), and Prophane Victor, a former parliamentarian from Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, on fees associated to corruption and gang ties.
Nonetheless, Haiti’s justice system has a historical past of failing to safe convictions in corruption instances. From 2004 to 2024, the ULCC submitted 87 investigation studies to the courts recommending indictments, however just one conviction has been secured, and simply 4 instances have been closed—together with on dismissal.
ULCC Director Common Hans Ludwig Joseph has known as for swifter judicial motion.
“Regardless of intensive investigations and documented outcomes, judicial sanctions are uncommon and gradual,” Joseph mentioned.
With public frustration mounting, Haitian authorities face rising stress to reveal transparency and accountability in authorities operations.
Editor’s be aware: These instances are a part of a creating story on corruption investigations in Haiti. The Haitian Occasions will preserve you up to date as extra data on judicial motion turns into accessible.