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The Unité de Lutte Contre la Corruption (ULCC), Haiti’s national anti-corruption agency, has begun an investigation into former President Michel Martelly, his wife Sophia Saint-Rémy, and their sons Michel Olivier Martelly and Michel Alexandre Martelly. This inquiry was initiated following a formal complaint from Ensemble contre la Corruption(ECC), a local anti-corruption organization, which called for an audit of the Martelly family’s accumulated assets during his administration.
In an official request sent on October 28, 2024, ULCC’s director Hans Joseph requested the cooperation of Luminescence, a luxury retail store in Pétion-Ville, asking for documentation that would confirm whether the Martelly family members were listed among their clients. The correspondence asks the store to provide certified copies of any records involving the former president and his family members, as part of the ongoing investigation into their financial activities.
Investigation Stems from ECC Complaint on Public Asset Misuse
The investigation comes in response to a complaint filed by Ensemble contre la Corruption in September 2024. The organization has urged the ULCC to scrutinize the assets of Martelly, who served as president from 2011 to 2016, along with those of his immediate family and close associates who held public office during his administration. ECC has alleged the misuse of public funds and potential enrichment during his term, calling for transparency around properties and assets accumulated by the Martelly family.
ECC’s complaint underscores concerns about “the extent of public fund misuse” allegedly linked to Martelly and his associates. The organization pointed to U.S. sanctions as evidence of Martelly’s involvement in activities harmful to Haiti’s governance and security.
In August 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Martelly for his alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking, an accusation that carries substantial international implications. The sanctions include a ban on transactions involving U.S. currency where Martelly has an interest and restrict U.S. financial institutions from offering him loans or credit. Additionally, American citizens are prohibited from investing in or purchasing equity or debt instruments linked to Martelly.
OFAC’s sanctions were based on accusations that Martelly facilitated drug trafficking operations, including cocaine distribution through Caribbean networks to the United States. The former president has also been accused of laundering illicit profits and cooperating with gangs responsible for violence within Haiti.
Broader Implications for Haiti’s Political Landscape
The investigation into Martelly’s financial activities marks a significant development in Haiti’s anti-corruption efforts. The ULCC’s request for client records from local businesses, like Luminescence, reflects its pursuit of evidence to substantiate the ECC’s allegations and meet the standards set by international sanctions.
Martelly’s leadership and alleged ties to corruption have stirred controversy amid ongoing political instability in Haiti. The ULCC’s investigation highlights a renewed domestic focus on anti-corruption as Haiti grapples with severe security challenges. Internationally, Canada sanctioned Martelly in 2022 on similar grounds, underscoring concerns about the influence of politically connected figures on the country’s stability.
Attempts to obtain further details from the ULCC’s office were unsuccessful. However, ECC has reiterated its demand for transparency, emphasizing the importance of accountability in addressing corruption linked to Haiti’s most influential figures. For ECC and similar groups, the inquiry into the Martelly family represents a broader movement toward anti-corruption and governance reform in Haiti.
