Wyclef (Jean) on Haiti Charity (embezzlement): Mistakes Were Made

His country facing a veritable apocalypse, Wyclef Jean took time out Monday to make an impassioned plea for help and yet another emotional defense of his charitable motives.

Days after The Smoking Gun posted financial records suggesting his Yéle Haiti Foundation may have enriched the former Fugee, Wyclef reiterated remarks from this weekend and insisted that all donations were going directly to help his homeland.

"Have I made mistakes? Yes," Jean said a press conference Monday. "Did I use Yéle money for personal gains? Absolutely not. The books are open. We have a clean bill of health from an auditor."

The 37-year-old musician and his organization have been at the forefront of relief efforts in Haiti, rallying support from politicians and Hollywood bigwigs like George Clooney.

"We went inside the belly of the beast", Jean said. "I was the one carrying the little girls to the morgue. In reality, my people are dying. I have to go back for relief. I do not cry for myself, I cry for them."

Because the destruction is so severe, Jean called for a mass exodus from the capital.

"I am asking the world to move 2 million people out of Port-au-Prince," Jean said. "If I ask them to leave they will leave. We need to keep Haiti alive."

"I would bet that Wyclef Jean’s outfit is still far less corrupt than the US Gov’s fund raising."

Absolutely right.

On Thursday (2 days after the quake) Wyclef Jean and his wife were in the city of Haiti (not the airport) personally carrying dead bodies and removing rubble. This was on film, on Fox News. Wyclef looked like hell, and his wife didn't look much better.

So his charity has high overhead ? There's no way to deny he's on the ground risking his life for this cause. I can't help but think that the story of his "financial improprieties" has gotten traction because he's in danger of taking the "Hero of Haiti" title from Obama.

For what it's worth, after Wyclef spent his second day of carrying dead bodies, the Fox reporter then bragged of the great accomplishment of the US Government - they turned on the lights at the airport. - Yep, 100 million bucks, and hundreds of personnel,- and after 3 days - they got lights. Yea.

I'm willing to bet that more money given to "Wyclef" gets to Haiti than money given to "WhiteHouse.gov".

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