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 College Canteen Program coordinator Phanèse Laguerre. Police additionally arrested Élionor Devallon, the present director of the Social Help Fund, however haven’t but disclosed the costs 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 College Canteen Program (PNCS), and Élionor Devallon, present director normal of the Social Help Fund (CAS). The police haven’t but disclosed the costs 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, beneath 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) have 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 car leases with out approval from the Nationwide Public Procurement Fee (CNMP). The Superior Court docket of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) has deemed these transactions unlawful.
Laguerre, who was arrested on Jan. 31 beneath an order from Choose Marthel Jean-Claude, is accused of embezzling greater than $1.9 million meant for college meals packages. Investigators centered on PNCS meals purchases between October 2016 and February 2021, uncovering that 382 million gourdes ($2.9 million) have been allotted beneath suspicious circumstances.
The ULCC discovered that a number of suppliers contracted beneath Laguerre had no bodily addresses or authorized registrations, elevating considerations about shell corporations getting used to divert funds.
“This scheme resulted in a major 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 explanation 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 packages. He’s the second CAS director to be arrested in recent times, following the detention of Edwine Tonton on corruption-related prices.
Haiti’s judicial system beneath strain for corruption response
The current 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 prices 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 experiences to the courts recommending indictments, however just one conviction has been secured, and simply 4 instances have been closed—together with one dismissal.
ULCC Director Basic Hans Ludwig Joseph has referred to as for swifter judicial motion.
“Regardless of in depth investigations and documented outcomes, judicial sanctions are uncommon and gradual,” Joseph stated.
With public frustration mounting, Haitian authorities face rising strain to reveal transparency and accountability in authorities operations.
Editor’s observe: These instances are a part of a growing story on corruption investigations in Haiti. The Haitian Occasions will maintain you up to date as extra data on judicial motion turns into out there.