While Wyclef Jean is in his devastated homeland, Haiti, pouring his heart into recovery efforts, he’s having to swat flies back in the US that are buzzing around the charity he’s set up to help the ailing nation.
An Associated Press review of tax returns and independent audits provided by Jean’s foundation showed that it was closely intertwined with Jean’s businesses.
He spoke out Saturday in defense of the foundation after charity watchdogs raised concerns about its accounting practices.
Jean told the press he was baffled by the timing and nature of criticism of The Wyclef Jean Foundation Inc., which has already raised more than $2 million to help earthquake victims.
“It is impossible for me to even comprehend the recent attacks on my character and the integrity of my foundation,” he said in a statement. “The fact that these attacks come as we are mobilized to meet the greatest human tragedy in the history of Haiti only serves to perplex me even further.”
Jean made passionate appeals using any medium available to him to plead for donations to Haiti by texting “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to the foundation geared toward helping the country.
According to foundation president Hugh Locke, Yele intends to airlift medical supplies, water and Clif Bars to Haiti using a FedEx plane early next week.
Jean said he has never profited personally through his work with the organization and he has committed significant amounts of his time and money to the charity.
___
