Yéle had publicized its fundraising to aid victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, but by February of that year, The New York Times reported that questions were raised over its finances, and that funds had been used to personally benefit Jean and members of his circle.
Born in Haiti and immigrating with his family to the United States at age nine, Jean grew up in northern New Jersey and embarked on a successful career in music, first as a member of Fugees and then as a Grammy-winning solo artist.
In 2004, after Haiti suffered extensive damage in Hurricane Jeanne, Yéle provided scholarships to 3,600 children in Gonaïves, with funding from Comcel telephone service company.
[1] After 2010 Haiti earthquake devastated the country and its capital Port-au-Prince, Yéle raised more than $1 million in 24 hours after Jean made a plea on Twitter.
Referring to materials posted during an investigation by the Smoking Gun website, The New York Times reported that Yéle had failed to file required tax returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007 until 2009.