Wyclef Jean Haiti Row

Charity again at the centre of controversy

Wyclef Jean is again at the centre of controversy relating to his Haitian charitable fund.

Born on Haiti, Wyclef Jean has always remained proud of his roots. Starting the Yele charity in 2005 to help those on the island, the fund was thrust into the public spotlight after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in 2010.

Raising some $16 million to aid those on the island, Wyclef Jean was almost immediately embroiled in controversy relating to the mis-allocation of funds.

Now those accusations have been made again. Reports in the New York Post indicate that only $5.1 million of the money raised to aid those caught up in the earthquake actually made its way to Haiti.

According to tax records, $353,983 was paid to P&A Construction – a company run by Wyclef Jean’s brother. In addition to this, more than $1 million was paid to Amisphere Farm Labor Inc. as a “food distributor,” yet the New York Post has raised doubts as at whether the company even exists.

Wyclef Jean has hit back, arguing that the charity had completed considerable projects in Port-au-Prince and that he is proud of the work undertaken by Yele.

Sadly, though, this isn’t the first time Wyclef Jean has found himself in hot water. Yele apparently did not file a tax report in 2008, and posted a loss of almost $250,000 in 2010.

Accused of mis-allocating funds last year, the rapper held a press conference to clear his name. “Have we made mistakes before? Yes,” Jean said at the time (via Billboard). “Did I ever use Yele money for personal benefits? Absolutely not. Yele’s books are open and transparent.”

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