January 3, 2025

Judge Benjamin Félismé Issues Arrest Warrants Amid Banking Corruption Investigation 

December 27, 2024

Judge Benjamin Félismé has recently issued arrest warrants against Lonick Léandre and Raoul Pierre-Louis as part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct and corruption at the Banque Nationale de Crédit (BNC). 

On December 2, 2024, the magistrate summoned several Presidential Counselors, including Louis Gérald Gilles, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Smith Augustin, who face accusations of passive corruption and bribery. 

The hearings were scheduled as follows: Lonick Léandre on December 5, Louis Gérald Gilles on December 9, Emmanuel Vertilaire on December 10, and Smith Augustin on December 11. However, all accused individuals refused to appear before the judge, further complicating the situation. This refusal raises serious concerns about their willingness to cooperate with the judiciary and highlights broader issues of transparency and accountability within governmental structures. 

Will the judge extend the arrest warrants to include the three accused Presidential Counselors? This question underscores the escalating tension surrounding the case, as well as the challenges in ensuring justice and integrity in such high-profile investigations. 

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