Two former and one current Haitian high-ranking officials arrested on corruption charges 

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian police have arrested two former high-ranking officials and one current director as part of ongoing corruption investigations led by the country’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). Authorities say the arrests follow judicial orders issued in late January and early February in response to alleged large-scale embezzlement and abuse of office.

The detained officials include Jemley Marc Jean-Baptiste, former director general of the National Insurance Office (ONA), Phanèse Laguerre, former coordinator of the National School Canteen Program (PNCS), and Élionor Devallon, current director general of the Social Assistance Fund (CAS). The police have not yet disclosed the charges against the head of the CAS.

Jean-Baptiste and Laguerre accused of misappropriating millions

Judge Loubens Élysée ordered Jean-Baptiste’s arrest on Feb. 7 after investigators found that, under his leadership, ONA issued more than five million gourdes (approximately $39,000) in illegal payments to four suppliers at the request of former Social Affairs and Labor Minister Pierre Ricot Odney. Additionally, 22 million gourdes ($168,000) were unlawfully transferred from ONA to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) to settle debts related to food and sanitation kits purchased in December 2021.

A ULCC report found that the suppliers lacked valid tax registrations and operational licenses. It also revealed that ONA withheld revenue taxes from these companies but never transferred them to Haiti’s tax authority (DGI).

Jean-Baptiste is further accused of circumventing procurement regulations by spending 61 million gourdes ($466,000) on vehicle rentals without approval from the National Public Procurement Commission (CNMP). The Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) has deemed these transactions illegal.

Laguerre, who was arrested on Jan. 31 under an order from Judge Marthel Jean-Claude, is accused of embezzling more than $1.9 million meant for school food programs. Investigators focused on PNCS food purchases between October 2016 and February 2021, uncovering that 382 million gourdes ($2.9 million) were allocated under suspicious circumstances.

The ULCC found that several suppliers contracted under Laguerre had no physical addresses or legal registrations, raising concerns about shell companies being used to divert funds.

“This scheme resulted in a significant loss of public funds and blatant conflicts of interest,” the ULCC report stated, recommending an audit and the restitution of funds mismanaged during Laguerre’s tenure.

Haitian police arrest current CAS director

The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) arrested Élionor Devallon, the director general of CAS, on Jan. 30. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the reason for his arrest, but speculation suggests it is linked to corruption or organized crime.

Devallon, who was appointed in August 2024, had served as deputy assistant director of CAS for eight years. The DCPJ is investigating his management of Haiti’s social protection programs. He is the second CAS director to be arrested in recent years, following the detention of Edwine Tonton on corruption-related charges.

Haiti’s judicial system under pressure for corruption response

The recent arrests are part of broader efforts by the ULCC and the DCPJ to hold public officials accountable. Before these cases, the judicial police had also detained Magalie Habitant, former director of the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS), and Prophane Victor, a former parliamentarian from Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, on charges related to corruption and gang ties.

However, Haiti’s justice system has a history of failing to secure convictions in corruption cases. From 2004 to 2024, the ULCC submitted 87 investigation reports to the courts recommending indictments, but only one conviction has been secured, and just four cases have been closed—including one dismissal.

ULCC Director General Hans Ludwig Joseph has called for swifter judicial action.

“Despite extensive investigations and documented results, judicial sanctions are rare and slow,” Joseph said.

With public frustration mounting, Haitian authorities face growing pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability in government operations.

Editor’s note: These cases are part of a developing story on corruption investigations in Haiti. The Haitian Times will keep you updated as more information on judicial action becomes available.

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Two former and one current Haitian high-ranking officials arrested on corruption charges  was first posted on February 11, 2025 at 3:54 pm.