December 23, 2024
Former Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, Aviol Fleurant, is at the center of a scandal after the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) called for public legal action against him. He is accused of false asset declaration and illicit enrichment.
Established in 2004 under the interim presidency of Boniface Alexandre, the ULCC’s mission is to fight corruption within public administration, protect public assets, and promote transparency in public affairs management.
According to a report by the ULCC, Mr. Fleurant initially declared having five bank accounts, but investigations revealed that he and his wife, Ludmia Toussaint, actually held sixteen. This concealment raised suspicions regarding the origin of their wealth.
Between 2016 and 2017, Aviol Fleurant acquired several properties, including two in Pétion-Ville, registered under his children’s names for a total of 75,000 US dollars. His assets increased by 253.26%, amounting to over 75 million gourdes, far exceeding his legitimate income.
The former minister also failed to declare two vehicles and omitted a portion of his attorney fees, depriving the tax authorities of 2.7 million gourdes. Additionally, his asset declarations upon entering and leaving office were deemed late and incomplete.
The ULCC suspects that the fire at his law office may have been an attempt to destroy evidence related to his financial transactions. Consequently, the ULCC is recommending legal proceedings in accordance with the law on asset declaration and the Penal Code, as well as an audit of his management at the ministry and a tax reassessment for several years.