Wyclef Jean’s Political Bid Returns Spotlight to Haiti Charity

Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean’s plan to run for president of his native Haiti has renewed scrutiny of his charity, Yele Haiti, which raised millions of dollars in the aftermath of the devastating January earthquake but also drew criticism of its spending and management practices, says The New York Times.

Mr. Jean stepped down as chief executive of Yele Haiti earlier this month after announcing his presidential bid. The charity has raised more than $10.5-million for earthquake relief through July 31 and has reported spending about one-third of the money so far.

Leaders of several tent camps for earthquake survivors have said that promised aid from Yele has not materialized, or has been short-lived and token in nature, according to The Times. Mr. Jean characterized such accounts as “hearsay” arising from “the overall fear and anger in those camps.”

His candidacy has also raised concerns that the charity’s resources will be put to political purposes. Yele Haiti revamped its accounting practices in January amid reports that it had paid $350,000 to two businesses controlled by Mr. Jean and his cousin.

Read an article from The Chronicle’s archive about Yele Haiti.

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