Former Haitian President, Jean-Claude Duvalier and his family, cost the people of Haiti, an estimated $500,000,000 in stolen and misappropriated funds. The pillaging took place during his father François' tenure and his own. Had this money been properly invested, it would have reaped many millions more for Haiti's poor. Duvalier and his family hid money abroad, purchased expensive sports cars, designer clothes, Louis Vuitton luggage, a chateau in France and an apartment in Paris. These unjustifiable expenditures infuriated Haitians at home and abroad, as they witnessed as their loved ones went without.

During a time of national financial struggle, Duvalier's wedding to Michele Bennet cost Haiti's taxpayers $3,000,000. A multi-million dollar home in Haiti was also given to Bennet's family to live in luxury as well (it was later seized by a new government and turned into an orphanage). Currently, Haiti is considered the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere and it is not the Haitian people's fault. The earthquake is not the main reason either. Haiti, a nation of 10,000,000 people, should not be in this financial predicament and it is squarely due to the Duvalier years in office. 

Haitian people worked hard, paid their taxes and it was squandered by the Duvaliers. Money that was needed to create jobs, expand infrastructure and build on social programs, went to bankrolling one family's lifestyle that almost rivaled Marie Antoinette and Saddam Hussein in extravagance. None of the Haitians I know in Miami have ever spoken well of the Duvalier family. The mere mention of the Duvalier name brings back painful memories of tumultuous times in their beloved nation's history. 

However, Haiti is at a crossroads. Like many nations, it has experienced a terrible natural disaster. It is time to rebuild on a new foundation and forgive old grievances, to help national emotional wounds heal. If Duvalier wants to help Haiti, as he has stated, he should give the nation his financial support and leave the governance to the next elected President.   

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