Grammy-winner Wyclef Jean is “disgusted” by allegations he’s personally profited from his Haiti foundation, Yele. In a YouTube address the singer said he’s contributed $1 million of his own money to Yele and asked the public to wait for proof of the organization’s activities—forthcoming in future videos—and then judge if "Wyclef is the truth or not." However, he couldn’t explain away the inconsistencies for which he’s come under fire.
Yele Haiti Foundation first became an object of suspicion last week when it raked in over $2 million in a text-message campaign, reported the NY Post. Critics pointed out that the charity has a shoddy accounting history: it was incorporated 12 years ago, but filed its first-ever tax return in August 2009, among other things. Yele also paid at least $410,000 to businesses associated with the former-Fugee. Just when the organization’s dirty finances were being aired to the public, a staffer came forward saying Yele doesn’t have the resources to make good on promises of aid for hurt and distressed earthquake victims.
In his speech to internet viewers Wyclef, who’s been on the ground in Haiti, explained his admirable reasons for starting the charity. "I gotta tell you, coming back in here after digging kids up . . . and finding cemeteries for them . . . this is what I come back to: an attack on my integrity and my foundation, Yele Haiti. . . . you can donate to whatever charity you want to." The Haitian-American also enunciated his desire to partner with other NGOs to "get results" and affirmed he "never, or would ever, take money for my personal pocket when it comes to Yele.” Wyclef didn’t get into the foundation’s financial mechanisms, though as Gawker pointed out, Yele Haiti's president Hugh Locke spoke to the criticisms, giving reasons for some of the foundation’s wheelings and dealings. Still no one has enlightened us on the issue of the extremely late tax return. As for whether Yele will follow through with its relief efforts, keep watching.
