Haiti's Investigators Charge Three Transitional Council Members with Corruption

Photo : AP

In a striking development, three prominent members of Haiti’s transitional presidential council have been accused of bribery. This revelation comes from a detailed  that raises serious concerns about the fragile political stability in the country.

The individuals accused are Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Louis Gérald Gilles. They allegedly demanded over $750,000 from the director of the government-owned National Bank of Credit in exchange for securing his position. Hans Joseph, the director overseeing the investigation, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations during a news conference, stating, “The message is clear. No one is above the laws of our nation!” Standing behind him were several masked investigators, their identities concealed to protect their safety.

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This accusation poses a significant threat to the credibility of the nine-member transitional council, which was appointed earlier this year amid escalating gang violence that forced the former prime minister to resign, leaving the country without effective leadership. The council collaborates with new Prime Minister Garry Conille in governing the nation.

It remains uncertain whether the council will take any disciplinary action against the accused members, who have not responded to requests for comment. Impunity has been a persistent issue in Haiti, despite ongoing efforts to hold government officials accountable.

The report alleges that Gilles organized a critical meeting on May 25, where the demand for $750,000 was made. This meeting involved the council members, former bank director Raoul Pascal Pierre-Louis, and Haitian consul Lonick Léandre, taking place at the Royal Oasis Hotel in Port-au-Prince. According to Pierre-Louis, Gilles and Léandre confiscated phones from those present before the meeting began. He recounted, “At first, I thought it was a joke,” after the monetary demand was made.

Following this initial meeting, Pierre-Louis reported the incident to various officials, including Prime Minister Conille and a judge. He later arranged a second meeting at his home, attended only by Augustin and Gilles. Unable to meet the financial demand, Pierre-Louis suggested the possibility of arranging loans or lines of credit instead. Subsequent investigations revealed that four lines of credit were established shortly after, with three loans up to $20,000 each for the accused council members, and a fourth line of $13,500 for Léandre.

As the investigation unfolds, all three council members, along with the bank manager, face serious criminal charges related to bribery and corruption, while Léandre is charged with instigating bribe payments. None of the accused have provided comments regarding the allegations.

A judge is expected to review the report's findings, which may lead to the issuance of arrest warrants if deemed necessary. Augustin previously served as Haiti's ambassador to the Dominican, Gilles is a former senator, and Vertilaire is recognized as a former investigative judge. The notes that all five individuals involved have denied the allegations, with Vertilaire stating, “It would be an absurdity on my part to demand money from someone I don’t even know, from someone I saw for the first time.”

As Haiti grapples with this corruption scandal, the situation adds to the complexities facing the nation, which is already burdened by political instability and economic challenges.