Wyclef's Haiti Charity Is Closing!

Well, this is a bummer.
Even though we’re sure it did some good at some point, Wyclef Jean‘s Haiti charity is closing because of allegations of financial mismanagement.
The Fugees star co-founded Yele Haiti in 2004 to help in the wake of Hurricane Jeanne, and carried that work well past the Haiti earthquake in 2010.
A New York attorney general is investigating the charity now, though, which went out of business last month.
If you think that Wyclef couldn’t be involved in the skimming, well, it looks like you might be wrong: an audit from 2005-2009 found mismanagement of expenses including $24,000 which was spent on chauffeur services for Jean, and $30,000 on a private jet to fly actress Lindsay Lohan from New Jersey to Chicago, Illinois for a benefit event which raised $66,000.
Here’s what Wyclef’s attorney said:

“Wyclef Jean helped pay for the independent audit of Yele because of his commitment to both the organisation and the people of Haiti, and while most of its findings do not in any way relate to him he is nevertheless committed to ensuring that things are made right.”

And his spokesperson:

“At present my client Wyclef Jean and his legal team are working ‘assiduously’ to resolve any pending issues with respect to Yele prior to its closing, as Mr. Jean continues his tireless commitment to his ‘beloved’ country by remaining steadfast in his efforts to encourage the global community to join him in supporting ongoing relief efforts in Haiti.”

Charities are like the ONE place where no shady things should happen.
People in need depend on those organizations to stay open and help — and it’s a shame that some people, whether or not it’s Wyclef, will take advantage of that.
Shameful.
[Image via WENN.]