Source: SFGate
“An anti-corruption agency in Haiti on Wednesday accused three members of the country’s transitional presidential council of bribery in a scathing report that threatens to destabilize the country’s fragile political stability. Smith Augustin, Emmanuel Vertilaire and Louis Gérald Gilles are accused of demanding more than $750,000 from the director of the government-owned National Bank of Credit to secure his job, the Unit for Combating Corruption said in its report. ‘The message is clear. No one is above the laws of our republic!’ said Hans Joseph, the unit’s director, as he detailed the corruption allegations during a news conference where he unveiled the report. Behind him stood at least half a dozen investigators wearing caps and face masks, their identities concealed. The report is a significant blow to the nine-member council and is expected to further erode people’s trust in it.” (10/02/24)