Overview:
Substitute city attorney of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Gary Chéry, was dismissed for allegedly accepting bribes to release sexual offenders from jail. The city's head of the bar emphasized that this action should serve as a deterrent to others in the legal profession.
CAP-HAITIEN — Gary Chéry, substitute city attorney of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord— a Northern Department commune 10 miles south of Cap-Haïtien—- was dismissed by Haiti’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security from his position last week, following allegations that he had released a man accused of sexually abusing his daughter from jail in exchange for bribes of $3,000 and a car.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security informed Chéry of its decision to dismiss him in a note sent to him on May 2.
The note, signed by the departing Minister of Justice Emmelie Prophète, read: “This is to inform you that it has been decided to place you on leave without pay, for serious administrative errors— irregular release of a father who committed rape on his child. This measure is effective from the date of this [note].”
Last month, the former city attorney was accused of releasing Alfred Pélicier, who is accused of sexually abusing his minor daughter, even though the case was no longer under his jurisdiction. Chéry was also accused of releasing from jail, for bribes of about $3,000, another man who is accused of kidnapping and raping a 16-year-old girl in the city.
The head of the local bar association, Caleb Mesadieu, applauded the decision to fire Chéry. This dismissal should serve as a deterrent to others in the legal profession from engaging in illegal and unethical activities, he said.
Mésadieu acknowledged that the justice system is unstable throughout the country, but assured that efforts are being made in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord to restore it, despite the challenges.
“Justice is shaky in the entire country but in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord we’re fighting to get it back on track even though it’s not easy,” Mesadieu said. “It’s an example for all of the people working in the justice system, especially in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord jurisdiction but also to lawyers who might make mistakes.”
The head of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord’s bar added that the disciplinary council would convene and, if appropriate, would penalize the attorney and refer him to the court of common law. This is, according to the rules regarding an attorney who commits a crime, he explained.
In Haiti, it is unfortunately common for officials to engage in illegal and unethical acts such as bribery and remain in power even after being accused, due to the weakness and corruption of the justice system. Chéry’s case is one of the rare instances where a powerful official has been penalized by Haiti’s justice system under pressure from citizens.
“It’s an example for all of the people working in the justice system, especially in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord jurisdiction but also for lawyers who might make mistakes. Justice is shaky in the entire country but in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord we’re fighting to get it back on track even though it’s not easy.”
Grande-Rivière-du-Nord’s head of bar
The Haitian Times has contacted Chéry for comments but he said he was not available for an interview at the time of this writing. But, last month he denied the accusations in a text message on WhatsApp.
The attorney handling one of the cases [the 16-year-old girl] involving Chéry’s alleged misconduct, Djimps Joisile, declined to comment on the Ministry of Justice’s decision. Joisile told The Haitian Times in an April interview that he would file a complaint against Chery. But it is now unclear if Joisile will proceed with this decision following Chéry’s dismissal.
For Mésadieu, lead attorney at the Bar Association of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Chéry’s dismissal is satisfactory. “Mr. Gary Chéry was placed on leave, I’m not saying this is enough but I’m satisfied,” he said. “If the attorney of the victim and other people have a reason to pursue the former city attorney, let them do it. But to me, that’s enough.”