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Overview:
At Cap-Haïtien’s Base Anti-Stress, two outsiders stunned locals by winning the men’s Ludo and Domino titles, while hometown favorite Ronise Mézard kept the women’s Ludo crown, preserving some local pride.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Former Director General of the National Television of Haiti (TNH), Gamall Jules Augustin, was taken into custody on Sept. 23 after a hearing before investigators from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC).
He is accused of embezzlement of public assets, abuse of office, unlawful conflict of interest, and falsification of official documents.
Augustin, an ally of former President Michel Martelly, served as head of TNH for nine years. Employees and union representatives long accused him of dismantling the institution’s core structures.
The state media employees’ union, SEME, had pressed for an investigation into his management. Protests erupted when Augustin was appointed to a commission to restructure TNH, leading to his eventual removal under union pressure.
In May, ULCC summoned several people as part of an inquiry into alleged corruption during Augustin’s leadership. That same month, SEME’s Secretary General, André Frasmé, said large sums were embezzled by Augustin and his finance chief, Harlem Michel.
Frasmé claimed that more than 1.7 million gourdes or US $ 13 076,92 for interns vanished and another 3.25 million gourdes or US $25 000 for fuel purchases could not be accounted for. He said Augustin exaggerated the number of TNH sites in operation to justify the expenses.
According to local media, Augustin also forged the logistics manager’s signature to buy equipment without authorization and awarded contracts without public bidding.
The ULCC has not yet released a full report on the case. For now, Augustin remains in custody at the Port-au-Prince prosecutor’s office, pending a decision on whether to release him or transfer him to an investigating judge.
Augustin’s arrest is one more in a long line of corruption cases the ULCC has pursued since its creation in 2004. His detention follows the arrests of four government officials in Ouanaminthe on corruption charges. ULCC has submitted nearly 90 reports to prosecutors, but only two cases have ever led to convictions.
Critics blame political interference, weak judicial follow-through, and chronic underfunding for Haiti’s failure to bring corrupt officials to justice.
Despite these setbacks, the watchdog office continues to flag corruption across state institutions. The growing list of high-profile probes involving former officials accused of looting public funds or aiding gangs.
Earlier this year, former deputy Prophane Victor and former solid waste chief Magalie Habitant were detained for alleged ties to criminal groups.
On Aug. 2, former Senator Nenel Cassy was arrested on charges of criminal association but was released 17 days later, sparking outrage. The prosecutor who freed him was dismissed without facing charges.
On Aug. 16, the former mayor of Arcahaïe, Rosemila Sainvil Petit-Frère, was detained by Haiti’s judicial police after her arrest in the Dominican Republic. She faces accusations of corruption and links to gangs.
International sanctions have also been imposed against former officials. On Sept. 22, the U.S. Department of State added to its sanctions list for corruption former deputy Arnel Bélizaire and ex-senator Antonio “Don Kato” Chéramy.
“This action makes Belizaire, Cheramy, and their immediate family generally ineligible to enter the United States,” said Tommy Pigott, Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the U.S. Embassy.
“This action sends a clear message: the era of impunity in Haiti is over!”
Other sanctioned figures include former President Martelly, ex-Speaker Gary Bodeau, and former Senator Rony Célestin, all accused of corruption and aiding gang activity.
As for Augustin, under Haiti’s 2014 anti-corruption law, his allegations of crime are punishable by three to 15 years in prison.