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Despite raising more than $2 million in aid last week and facing scrutiny for the business practices of his Yele Haiti foundation, Wyclef Jean remains strong.
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter fired back at critics over the weekend via a YouTube clip denouncing claims that his charity has "enriched" his New York City recording studio in addition to his partnership with a Haitian TV production company. The tax returns for the charitable organization first surfaced online via popular watchdog Web site TheSmokingGun.com.
"This is what I come back to, an attack on my integrity and my foundation, Yele Haiti," he questioned. "Let me tell y'all something. First of all, you can donate to whatever charity you want to. I'm not here to force you to donate to Yele Haiti."
He continued, "I never and would ever take money for my personal pocket when it comes to Yele. I myself have put a $1 million inside of my own foundation. So not only do I denounce all of that, I'm disgusted by it."
In addition to standing by Yele Haiti and his fellow Haitian natives, the former Fugees' front man urged the world to help relocate close to 2 million displaced Haitians who have been affected by the 7.0 earthquake.
During a press conference on Monday, Jean admitted that Yele Haiti has "made mistakes" in the past, but that he has never used the organization's funds for personal fulfillment.
"My dad always told me, if you're a man with a clear conscience, speak with a clear conscience and the world will know," he said. "Have we made mistakes? Yes. Did I ever use Yele money for personal benefit? Absolutely not. Yele's books are transparent and open. We have been given a clean bill of health by an external auditor every year since we started."
This Friday, at 8 p.m., Wyclef will team up with Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney and CNN's Anderson Cooper for MTV's 'Hope for Haiti' global concert and telethon, which will feature performances from the likes of Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. The special will be broadcast on all major networks.
Comments: (25)
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By: afrikavenus on 1/20/2010 1:53PM
Good for Wycleff. And I am elated that he has asked the "world" to help relocate Haitians. Because if the Haitians take up residence in Senegal as repatriation was extend to them by President Abdoulaye Wade they will need help and relocation funds in getting to Africa via air/sea.
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By: Leroy Tomba on 1/24/2010 10:52AM
My fellow brothas and sistas, take note of ALL the WHITE FOLKS helping all our family over in Haiti. Next time you feel the white man is keeping you down, remember ALL THE WHITE FOLKS GIVING MONEY AND THEIR LIVES once again to help The Black Man.
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By: smartsista on 1/21/2010 10:31AM
Leroy-the-white-boy, perpetrating as a brotha, take your lame, raggedy behind to the regular AOL and get off of black voices!!
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By: Dark Gable on 1/21/2010 12:34PM
You white cats kill me! All the things you could be doing and your on Black Voices? WOW! The "ANGRY INCH"!
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By: toyna on 1/21/2010 7:54PM
WELL THAT'S A START ON WHAT YOU OWE THE BLACK MAN ''BUT'' BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, THE BLACKS DONATED RINGS AROUND THE AMOUNT THAT WERE GIVING BY WHITES, I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE THAT GIVE THEIR HELP, EVEN BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE THERE WERE MANY WHITES THERE IN HAITI HELPING THAT COUNTRY, EVERY BLACK PERSON KNOWS THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DESCENT WHITE FOLKS, AND THEN THERE'S YOU AND BILL S.
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By: afrikavenus on 1/20/2010 8:49PM
Pulllllllllleezzzzzzzzz
what an asinine statement!
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By: droz65 on 1/21/2010 7:44AM
For ANYONE whom hasn't given, which apparently would be this 31% that polled "NO", as you we can see on here, are nothing but low life lazy selfish pieces of pig feces. Especially when you have it, which I'm quite sure MOST of you do have to give. Proof? How else are you able to even particiapte to the poll on the internet. You must have either a braodband account for which you pay for monthly or a cell phone being paid the same giving you access to internet...Right? Or, if you are a cigeratte smoker, which is a habit running you several dollars a day or week. All you drinkers, that buy a drink after work or school. Greedy ass fast food pigs, which I'm also sure quite a few of you are. Or, any of you whom indulge in any type of irrelevant habits that are paid for by your selfish no good psuedo- human ass. Not even a mere $5? Then,I personally feel they should be ashamed of themselves, and quite frankly leave this planet. Feel me? Basically, drop dead!!
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By: Big Poppa on 1/22/2010 11:29AM
Unless you live in my household you can't say s@#$. Easy for you to say that junk sitting behind a cmputer screen, but when you see someone up close in person I bet you will kept your mouth shut. Show me proof that you donated. NOPE I DID NOT DONATE!!!
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By: Bebe on 1/21/2010 2:58PM
Who are you to say anything about whether someone has donated. You don't know what they have or do not have. It is their right not to donate. Yes, I donated but that was my choice, not yours.
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By: rusty on 1/21/2010 6:03PM
Wyclef, what Haiti needs is birth control. You cannot rebuild Haiti unless you adress this problem. It makes no sence to rebuild if these people keep having children on this small island, with no economic or financial way of taking care of them. You can't ask the world to be a welfare check for Haitions. NO RELIEF, NO REBUILDING, NO MONEY until the Haition people realize that overpopulation is a large part of their problem!!!
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