Plot Thickens Concerning Martelly Family Corruption Charges

The narrative of Haiti's first family being investigated on corruption charges has just taken a new twist in an ever-widening net of conspirators plotting Martelly's downfall. Human rights attorney, Andre Michel, is representing Enold Florestal, a citizen who filed the complaint, accused First Lady, Sophia Martelly, and son, Oliver Martelly, with embezzlement of government funds. Florestal was arrested for his part in the killing of Frantzy Duverseau three years ago.

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Michel claims Martelly government proxies bribed Florestal to withdraw the complaint. But he refused, and Judge Lamarre Belizaire, new on the case, pursued Florestal, and had him arrested. An outpouring of public condemnation against Belizaire made his task difficult. But he finally swore out a warrant to capture Florestal and his brother, Josue, incarcerating them for Duverseau's death.

Belizaire is the second judge on the case, Judge Joseph having died of a cerebral hemorrhage last month. Joseph was actively investigating the Martellys, trying to get them indicted. Controversy has swirled around the circumstances of Joseph's death, believed to have resulted from extreme pressure coming from Martelly operatives threatening him if he did not drop charges against Sophia and Oliver.

But Belizaire is not interested in investigating the Martellys. Political insiders believe charges against the Florestal brothers are trumped up, a political ploy designed to coerce them into withdrawing the complaint.

Human rights groups and the international community object to the Executive branch's dictatorial methods of obstructing justice, and Belizaire's apparent allegiance to the president and his family.

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Read more: michel martelly, Andre Michel, corruption, Olivier Martelly, embezzlement, Sophia Martelly, Enold Florestal, Frantzy Duverseau, Government

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