Me Sonet Saint-Louis, lawyer for the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BNC, Raoul Pierre-Louis, sent a letter to the Chairman of the Transitional Presidential Council, Mr. Edgard Leblanc, to express deep concern over recent revelations of financial misdeeds within the Transitional Presidential Council. According to the lawyer, since the establishment of this entity, the management of public funds has been marked by repeated scandals, the latest of which concerns the inappropriate use of funds allocated to the intelligence service of the National Palace.
Maître Sonet Saint-Louis highlights a series of financial scandals that have shaken the nation since the establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council, including a controversial payment of five million gourdes to each advisor for the flag festival. This situation is similar to corruption, defined as a misuse of the law, since according to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, the president should not manage public funds. The request for payment addressed by advisors Gerald Gilles, Smith Augustin and Emmanuel Vertilaire to Mr. Raoul Pierre-Louis is described as the straw that broke the camel’s back, illustrating a strategy of perversion aimed at plundering the state coffers with complete impunity. He accuses these advisors of corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
The letter recalls that, according to the Haitian Constitution, members of the Presidential Council do not enjoy immunity and must abide by the same laws as ordinary citizens. Maître Saint-Louis insists that the implicated advisers must resign to allow for a fair investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). He argues that any failure to do so could compromise the integrity of the investigation and reinforce suspicions of corruption.
Maître Saint-Louis thus calls on the Presidential Council to take decisive measures against the advisors involved, affirming that the fight against corruption is essential to maintain the credibility and transparency of the transitional government. This case highlights the challenges of governance and the need to ensure the rigorous application of the rule of law in Haiti.
This letter from Maître Sonet Saint-Louis reveals serious concerns regarding the management of public finances by the Transitional Presidential Council. The accusations of embezzlement and corruption jeopardize not only the credibility of the current administration but also public trust in state institutions. To preserve integrity and ensure true transparency, it is imperative that the accusations be rigorously examined and that those responsible submit to an impartial investigation. Respect for the law and rigorous application of the principles of governance are essential to restoring trust and ensuring a stable future for Haiti.