Wyclef Jean

An investigation by the New York Attorney General's office resulted in allegations of mismanagement and improper expenditures, and further reporting by the New York Times revealed lawsuits pending in Haiti over unpaid debts and other accusations. Read Less

According to Jean, Yele raised over $1 million in 24 hours using a plea on Twitter and more through Jean's participation in an MTV donation drive and other publicity efforts to benefit survivors of the earthquake. Following the earthquake, the Yele organization donated funds to orphanages, street cleaning crews, hospitals and medical clinics and organized food service to provide hot meals to refugees and victims of the catastrophe.<br /><br /> Not long after the earthquake and Jean's heavily publicized efforts to raise money for disaster relief, questions were raised about the history and management of the Yele charity. A New York Times article, working from an investigation performed by the Smoking Gun website, reported that the Wyclef Jean Foundation failed to file required tax returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007 until 2009, and that by early 2010 returns and records for 2008 had still not been filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The article, which included allegations by the Smoking Gun of mismanagement of funds, also reported criticism of the foundation by its former executive director, Sanjay Rawal, questioning its ability to handle large projects and its lack of financial controls. Read Less

The charity, which remains closed, is also the target of lawsuits in Haiti for unpaid debts. Read Less

Wyclef would have run as a candidate for the Viv Ansanm (Live Together) political party. On the topic of his candidacy, Jean has stated, "I am being drafted to serve my country."<br /><br /> Besides opposition from Sean Penn in regards to Jean's Haitian presidential plans, Arcade Fire's Win Butler stated in a radio interview: Read Less

He was turned down because he did not meet the residency requirement of having lived in Haiti for five years before the November 28 election. Afterwards, Wyclef stated: I respectfully accept the committee's final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same. Read Less