Bribery & corruptionOversight & ethics enforcementCourts & justice

Haiti's appeals court annulled summonses against three Transitional Presidential Council members in a bank bribery case, ruling only the High Court of Justice can try them

Confidence: Alleged · 4 sourcesHaiti · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Louis Gérald Gilles, Member, Transitional Presidential Council

Smith Augustin, Member, Transitional Presidential Council

Emmanuel Vertilaire, Member, Transitional Presidential Council

Also named

Oversight

Unité de Lutte Contre la Corruption (ULCC)

Benjamin Félismé, Investigating judge, Port-au-Prince

Court of Appeal of Port-au-Prince

What happened

Haiti's anti-corruption unit (ULCC) reported in October 2024 that three members of the Transitional Presidential Council, Louis Gerald Gilles, Smith Augustin and Emmanuel Vertilaire, had allegedly solicited a bribe of 100 million gourdes from the then head of the state-owned National Credit Bank (BNC) to keep his post. Investigating judge Benjamin Felisme summoned them in December 2024, but on 19 February 2025 the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal annulled the summonses, ruling an ordinary court lacked jurisdiction over high executive officials. Under the constitution such officials can be tried only by the High Court of Justice, a body drawn from the Senate, which is not currently in place. The three have denied wrongdoing.

By the numbers (3)

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

Opposed

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Haitian investigating judge Benjamin Félismé formally charged ('inculpé') Emmanuel Vertilaire, alongside two other Transitional Presidential Council members, in the BNC bribery case; the ULCC report of October 2, 2024 had called for prosecution over abuse of function, bribery and passive corruption.

Benjamin Félismé · Emmanuel VertilaireThe Court of Appeal later annulled the summonses, ruling only the High Court of Justice can try them. facts-b: wording corrected against live source.

1 source

KaribinfoJudge Félismé indicted Gilles alongside Vertilaire and Augustin on charges of abuse of function and passive corruption

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Haitian investigating judge Benjamin Félismé formally charged ('inculpé') Louis Gérald Gilles, alongside two other Transitional Presidential Council members, in the BNC bribery case; the ULCC report of October 2, 2024 had called for prosecution over abuse of function, bribery and passive corruption.

Benjamin Félismé · Louis Gérald GillesThe Court of Appeal later annulled the summonses, ruling only the High Court of Justice can try them. facts-b: wording corrected against live source.

1 source

KaribinfoJudge Félismé indicted Gilles alongside Vertilaire and Augustin on charges of abuse of function and passive corruption

○

Haitian investigating judge Benjamin Félismé formally charged ('inculpé') Smith Augustin, alongside two other Transitional Presidential Council members, in the BNC bribery case; the ULCC report of October 2, 2024 had called for prosecution over abuse of function, bribery and passive corruption.

Benjamin Félismé · Smith AugustinThe Court of Appeal later annulled the summonses, ruling only the High Court of Justice can try them. facts-b: wording corrected against live source.

1 source

KaribinfoJudge Félismé indicted Gilles alongside Vertilaire and Augustin on charges of abuse of function and passive corruption

Sources (4)

Le NouvellisteAs a result, this ruling annuls the summonses issued

Yahoo Newsthe three officials cannot be summoned by a regular court due to their presidential status

RHI Newsthe instructing judge lacked jurisdiction over high-ranking executive officials; any future prosecution would require the High Court of Justice

KaribinfoJudge Félismé indicted Gilles alongside Vertilaire and Augustin on charges of abuse of function and passive corruption; ULCC report submitted October 2, 2024

Response

Louis Gérald Gilles

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

Smith Augustin

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

Emmanuel Vertilaire

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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