Showing posts with label Catholic church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic church. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Accused Pedofile Perlitz Files Motion for Secrecy from Behind Bars

No More Secrecy
HLLN on Douglaz Perlitz's new motions asking for secrecy



The new court date is December 2, 2009. Please continue writing to Judge Margolis, and if you are in the East Coast, attend the hearing to show support for Haiti's children.

At his Oct. 28 bond hearing, accused pedophile Douglas Perlitz withdrew his bond request for now. The awareness-raising campaign HLLN-led to warn the community that an accused pedophile may be set free on bail had some effect. (Perlitz Court Date Moved, Groups Raise Awareness of Perlitz, O'Brien Cases; Letter-writing campaign aims to keep Perlitz jailed , and Jesuits, diocese asked to help sex abuse victims). Defendant Perlitz was not set free and shall remain behind bars until the matter is revisited again on December 2nd, if at all.

This is a small victory, but a victory nonetheless for all children considering that last time in court, on Oct. 8th, Perlitz's attorney kept pointing out how massive Mr. Perlitz's support was, implying the children of Haiti had no support and stating outright that our children are liars, not to mention detailing, in racist terms, how violent and corrupt Haiti is as the reason why Perlitz is being wrongly accused. (See in contrast, Pointing Guns at Starving Haitians: Violent Haiti is a myth. According to the UN, the violence rate in Haiti is 5.6 homicide per 100,000. In 2006 the neighboring Dominican Republic had 23.6 homicides per 100,000 according to the Central American Observatory on Violence. Brazil had 52.2/per 100,000 ... whereas in the USA, the rate is 13.2 per 100,000 in some excluded communities and 5.7 per 100,000 overall.

The Caribbean region's average murder rate were at 30 per 100,000 in 2007. If you compare the US, Brazil, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, the facts indicate more violence there than in Haiti. But it is Haiti that is singled out, negatively stereotyped and saddled with UN occupation and people abusing Haiti stereotypes for their own ends. The facts reveal that the only time there is more violence in Haiti than normal crimes is when the US/Euros sponsor coup d'etat and dictatorship over the objections of the Haitian peoples' democratic vote.)

This time in court, the children of Haiti had more people there to support them than Mr. Perlitz's so touted "supporters" which were mostly no-shows in comparison to the Oct. 8th showing.

Thank you all who wrote and asked Judge Margolis not to release Douglas Perlitz on bond. The process has just begun. We suspect,the information Ezili's HLLN has been circulating about the systemic abuse of Haitian children by white charity workers and the UN troops is making a difference and the new information filed by the prosecutors on October 27 to support Perlitz's continued incarceration has raised the bar.

We suspect as more information is made available and as the media learns more about what is actually going on in Haiti in terms of the raping and molesting of Haitian children by charity workers and UN peace keepers, more of Mr. Perlitz's supporters and prospective bond financiers will be asking to remain anonymous. For instance, according to new information divulged by the federal prosecutors, from June until his arrest in September 2009, computer records show that Douglas Perlitz was using a laptop computer to seek Haitian and black boys on sexually oriented Internet sites and over 100 sexual images of black boys where found on his computer. Perlitz's attorneys has file a motion supporting bond where he requests that the individuals putting up money on defendant Perlitz's behalf remain anonymous. But all children need protection and we are publicly campaigning against this demand for secrecy. This sort of crime against children flourishes in secrecy. Its prosecution must be done in the full light.

Every Douglas Perlitz's bond supporter ought to be able stand in front of the entire community and say they are standing by Mr. Perlitz' innocence. Too many times in Haiti's past we've seen, as we just saw with the arrest of ex-priest and accused pedophile John Duarte last week, that the authorities are willing to make arrests but, as for instance in the John Duarte pedophile case, categorically refuse to name the hotel in Port au Prince where Mr. Duarte was having sex with children. This is exactly the sort of thing Save the Children did last year when it announced that UN peacekeepers in Haiti and NGO workers were sexually abusing Haiti's children, but did not name the UN peacekeepers nor the NGO charities involved.

Perlitz ran a residence for humanitarian aid workers in Haiti, as well as, the school for boys. Our investigation show an entwine international network in Haiti and a systematic cover up, it seems, by the authorities to keep this matter as "isolated incidents" when it is not. (See, for example - The 'Father Teresa' of Haiti – Armand Huard - was convicted on sex abuse charges against minors in Haiti orphanageTwo Canadians Charged with Sex Abuse in Haiti orphanageFormer Windsor priest John Duarte arraigned on child-molestation charges Fr. Paul Carrier, S.J. Near The End Of The LineSex scandal in Haiti hits U.N. mission • and, A Swiss accused pedophile was arrested in Haiti.)

Thus, in this case with defendant Douglas Perlitz, those who wish to stand with him ought to be sure enough of him and his innocence not to hide their names as his attorney asked in the motions filed in court yesterday. If Douglas Perlitz is the "saint" that his attorneys say he is - just simply a wrongly accused white American in a "Hatfield/McCoy" caper concocted by Haiti's children and teachers, if that is so, as his attorneys are vociferously pleading, then there ought not to be a problem with revealing who the 19 "people of fine standing in the community, as well as of sufficient financial means," many from Fairfield County, are, who will agree to post the required $5 million bond for defendant Douglas Perlitz.

Our concerned community (local, national and international) is asking for transparency.

We have had ENOUGH of secrecy in the exploitation, abuse, rape and molestation of black children and people in Haiti. Haitians are still waiting for the UN authorities to RELEASE the investigation report from the 114 Sri Lankan soldiers accused of the systematic sexual abuse and rape of minors in Haiti and deported back, in disgrace, to Sri Lanka. It's been two years and the UN investigation has never been made public to Haitians. This is the sort of racist double standard, complicity and capriciousness Ezili's HLLN finds an abuse of power by supposedly lawful and respected authorities. (See, UN Peacekeepers and Humanitarian Aid Workers raping, molesting and abusing Haitian children.)

The media must begin to look into the carnage in Haiti - the fleecing of Haiti's natural resources while the people starve and die, as well as, this systemic tourist sex trade bringing disease, rape and molestation to Haiti behind the disenfranchisement of 9 million blacks by the 2004 Bush regime change and current UN occupation, all, in the name of bringing stability, democracy and humanitarian aid to Haiti. ( Minimum Wage, Maximum Outrage and Haiti's Holocaust and Middle Passage Continues.)

The world needs to wake up to the voiceless poor's plight in Haiti. That is why Ezili's HLLN shall continue explaining these concerns to the world and go, people-to-people, as we just did with this Perlitz case, as the Haitian public does not seem to be getting anywhere with those in power, or who have taken power illegally (the more than 10,000 NGOs in Haiti and the UN forces) and who are supposed to be protecting and defending democracy, justice, and Haitian welfare.

Ezili Dantò/HLLN
October 28, 2009

____________________________________
Recommended HLLN Links:

Documents Say Abuse Suspect Tried To Buy Off Victims
By EDMUND H. MAHONY, The Hartford Courant, October 29, 2009

Photos of Haitians speaking out on Douglas Perlitz case outside the courthouse -
Chris Simmons Mirror's photostream


Ex-Fairfielder accused of abusing Haitian boys drops bond bid
By Michael P. Mayko, STAFF WRITER, Connecticut Post, Oct. 28, 2009

Perlitz detained without prejudice, defense plans to eventually ask for release
by Chris Simmons, Fairfield Mirror, Oct. 28, 2009

Feds: Haiti abuse suspect sought boys while in US

Direct from Okap: Lakounewyork interview with Cyrus Sibert on Perlitz case

New motions filed in Perlitz case

Fr. Paul Carrier, S.J. Near The End Of The Line, Posted by Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit blog

Haiti's Holocaust and Middle Passage Continues

Thank you: Haitian children had no public voice in this process until you came on the scene

Help Haiti's children - Demand that accused US pedophile, Doug Perlitz, not be set free on bond

Oil in Haiti - Economic Reasons for the UN/US occupation by Ezili Dantò

Sex scandal in Haiti hits U.N. mission

The 'Father Teresa' of Haiti – Armand Huard - was convicted on sex abuse charges against minors in Haiti orphanage

A Swiss accused pedophile was arrested in Haiti

The Slavery in Haiti the Media Won't Expose

Video Child Abuse/Molestation by white tourists in Kenya

Video Paradise for Pedophiles - Senegal

Video Peacekeepers 'abusing children' in Haiti - 27 Sep 08

Video 108 sri lankan troops accused of sexual abuse in haiti UN


Take action
Contact your local newspaper or congress people:

Please continue writing to Judge Margolis and attend the Dec. 2nd bond hearing, ask your local media to report on this case.

Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Haiti: Accused Child Predator Perlitz Faces Arraignment in CT

Help Haiti's children - Demand that accused US pedophile, Doug Perlitz, not be set free on bond

On October 19, 2009 at 10 a.m., accused US pedophile, Doug Perlitz will face, in New Haven Connecticut, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis and either be released on bond or held pending his trial. (See, Haiti program founder's release may hinge on higher bond, Connecticut Post, Oct. 8, 2009; Man charged with Haiti sex abuse pleads not guilty By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN (AP); and School Founder Arraigned In Abuse Charges, wfsb.com, Founder Of Haitian School Is Accused Of Sexually Abusing Nine Former Students.)

We urge all who are in the East Coast of the US to be in that court room to support the case of the children of Haiti who are being so maligned by Perlitz's many supporters. Haiti is under occupation with a weak government, some say, that is mostly concerned with pleasing foreigners, not with protecting Haitian rights and domestic development. These Haitian children have no voice, unless we stand up for them. (UN Peacekeepers and Humanitarian Aid Workers raping, molesting and abusing Haitian children).

Recently, I spoke to an audience about the raping and molesting of Haiti's children and women, and in particular about the Doug Perlitz case, where one white man stood up and said, in sum, that Haiti was such a "hellhole," its children getting sodomized is not such a sin if Doug Perlitz the pedophile was also providing them with food and schooling! This is the attitude of Doug Perlitz's supporters in the United States. Please show up in court on October 19 at 10.a.m. and stand for these Haitian children, who have no Haitian government or Haitian institutions that will support their human rights, their innocence, their childhood, their right not to be violated by sex tourists and fake charity workers and UN "peacekeepers."

This is insupportable. Lend a hand in the case of Douglas Perlitz.
You may view a copy of the federal indictment here. Here's are some relevant points in the Douglas Perlitz case:

"1. Between 2002 and 2008, more than $2 million was transferred from the Haiti Fund to an account Douglas Perlitz controlled in Haiti.

"These monies did not include other significant capital expenses and other expenses that were directly paid by the Haiti Fund for Project Pierre Toussaint," Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel said in court papers. "Perlitz had access to an enormous sum of money ... and thus far there does not appear to be an accurate accounting of what happened to these monies."

The Haiti investigation into Douglas Perlitz began in 2007. Western Union records confirm that from 2008 through 2009, "Perlitz was sending money" to individuals in Haiti formerly enrolled in his program.

2. According to the federal indictment, in order to entice and persuade the children to comply with sex acts, Douglas Perlitz provided the promise of food and shelter and provided monetary and other benefits, including but not limited to, U.S. and foreign currency, cellphones, other electronics, shoes, clothes and other items.

Perlitz is accused of grooming the orphaned and desperately hungry street children for sexual acts, exposing them to homosexual pornography and plying them with alcoholic beverages in an effort to persuade them to spend the night in his private residence. According to the indictment, Perlitz told children not to be ashamed during sex acts; other times, he told them he was "crazy."

3. If minors refused to engage in sex acts, Douglas Perlitz would at times withhold necessities, such as bed linen or threaten to expel them from the program.

4. After allegations of almost 10-year long misconduct of sexual abuse by Perlitz surfaced in 2007, Perlitz tried to block the investigation using his relationship with a religious leader who had influence with Board Members of the Haiti Fund to continue to conceal and attempt to conceal his illegal sexual conduct, the indictment says.

5. According to court papers: "The prosecutor also charged that beginning in July 2008 and continuing until March, Perlitz traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet with some of the children and adults associated with his program, shuttered recently because of lack of funds. On the night before Perlitz's Sept. 16 arrest in Colorado, Patel said he admitted receiving 17 calls from Haiti."

6. The Haitian national police department, which began investigating Perlitz's activities in 2007, has a warrant for his arrest.

7. Also according to US court papers: During a conversation with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Douglas Perlitz denied sexually abusing any of the children. But he allegedly said "molestation would be tough" and that the small victims "should just GET OVER IT ... He said he got over his father's death and even though it was tough he moved on ..." (See also, Haiti program founder's release may hinge on higher bond, Connecticut Post, Oct. 8, 2009).

What to do:
1. Attend the Court Hearings - Contact Ezili's HLLN [erzilidanto@yahoo.com] if you or your organization wishes to put together a bus load or groups of concerned citizens to attend the Oct. 19th or any of the other New Haven, CT, court hearings for accused US pedophile, Douglas Perlitz.

2. Contact - Write or fax a letter to the presiding judge -

The Honorable Joan G. Margolis, United States Magistrate Judge
Richard C. Lee UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE
141 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06510

Chambers Tele: (203) 773-2350 -- Fax: (203) 773-2304
Clerk's Office Tele: (203) 773-2140 -- Fax: (203) 773-2334

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE JUDGE:
The Honorable Joan G. Margolis, United States Magistrate Judge
Richard C. Lee UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE
141 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06510

DATE: ____, 2009

Dear Honorable Joan G. Margolis,

I am writing to request that you do not release accused pedophile Douglas Perlitz pending trial, because of the gravity of the charges - sexually abusing nine of the children he was helping in Haiti for close to ten years. Douglas Perlitz is a danger to children everywhere and there is no guarantee this compulsion that he is accused of is limited to just Haitian children in Haiti. If Douglas Perlitz is released on bond, despite the gravity of these charges, all children in the US communities he is released into may be in imminent danger, including Haitian children living in these US communities.

Court papers disclose that during a conversation with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Douglas Perlitz denied sexually abusing any of the children. But he allegedly admitted "molestation would be tough" and that the Haitian children who were molested "should just get over it ... He said he got over his father's death and even though it was tough he moved on ..."

It would be a dereliction of duty to release Douglas Perlitz on bond based on this depraved indifference alone.

What is "tough" right now for the (local, national and international) community affected by this case, is that Douglas Perlitz's release is even being contemplated. The Court ought to clearly tell Perlitz to "get over it" and detain him pending trial because he is a danger to the community, a flight risk, and based on the indictment, he has virtually admitted to molestation. Moreover, if Douglas Perlitz is released on bond, this will cause greater fear among the victims who were abused as well as allow Perlitz more opportunity to continue his campaigns to stop the victims from testifying. Perlitz will have unlimited access via prepaid cell phones to continue to intimidate these children, most of whom are already vulnerable orphans with no parents, no shelter, little State protection in Haiti. If released Perlitz may use his mobility, access and connections to disappear the street children, put them in greater danger or otherwise prevent them from testifying. Please do not release Douglas Perlitz on bond.

Sincerely,
Your name and contact information

_________________________________

*************
cc: Ezili Dantò/Marguerite Laurent, Esq.
President, Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network ("HLLN")
Phone: (203) 829-7210
P. O. Box 3573
Stamford, CT 06905
e-mail: ezilidanto@yahoo.com
www.ezilidanto.com


Background information
108 sri lankan troops accused of sexual abuse in haiti UN

Peacekeepers 'abusing children' in Haiti - 27 Sep 08

UN Peacekeepers and Humanitarian Aid Workers raping, molesting and abusing Haitian children

Child Abuse/Molestation by white tourists in Kenya

Video Report: Child Abuse by Humanitarian Workers


Paradise for Pedophiles - Senegal

As a matter of power, money, inequality and access White-sexual abusers, pedophiles and perverted Catholic priests are not just in Haiti, destroying children innocence and lives, but African children are suffering from the pain of sexual abuse throughout the world from sexual tourism or abuse and molestation by Catholic priests/pedophiles fleeing the US after indictments or exposure and by all sorts of charity and humanitarian aid workers.

Please view this video - (Child Abuse/Molestation by white tourists in Kenya) about white-sex assault on children in Kenya as young as 6-years old. No one will tell these stories if we don't. There is an explosion of child sexual abuse in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya The same trend is taking place in Ghana, Senegal, Ghoree Island, and East Africa. The Kenyan clip provides insight into the white-sex assault on our children in Kenya. (See, video reports from Haiti on UN Peacekeepers & Humanitarian aid workers ) raping and abusing Haitian children in exchange for food, schooling or money.)


Ezili Dantò/Marguerite Laurent
President, Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network ("HLLN")
October 10, 2009*

_________________________________
Update: 10.20.2009

Ezili Dantò's Note:

Folks,

I just got this message from the Court that the bond hearing for Douglas Perlitz has been changed from October 15 to October 28 at 11: a.m.

This is a sign of the intense efforts on the parts of Perlitz' people to get him off on bond. They know we had intended to be in court on the 19th in full force. Please do not let this postponement stop our efforts to give voice to the voiceless children of Haiti affected by the Doug Perlitz case. Let's redouble our efforts, keep sending letters to the judge. And let's all schedule to show up in court on Oct. 28. Thank you so much everyone. It may be your writing efforts and that of others victim's rights organizations that is putting pressure on these folks to delay perhaps in an effort to bolster Perlilz's bond case some more.

Men anpil chay pa lou - Many hands make light a heavy load.

*******************
Forwarded Message:
Re: HLLN letter to the Judge on the Douglas Perlitz case
Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:22 PM
From: usdoj.gov

To:erzilidanto@yahoo.com

Attorney Danto

This email is being sent to you to advise you that at the detention hearing for Douglas Perlitz has been changed, at the defendant’s request, to October 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. before the Honorable Joan G. Margolis, US Magistrate Judge, at 141 Church St., New Haven, CT.

United States Attorney’s Office

Forwarded by Ezili's Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
_____________________________________________
Subscribe to Ezili Danto's list for updates on this case and
other issues concerning Haiti---contact her at erzilidanto@yahoo.com.

News Stories about the Scandal

_________________________________
Haiti program founder's release may hinge on higher bond
Judge hints higher bond may be OK
By Michael P. Mayko, Connecticut Post, Oct. 9, 2009


Douglas Perlitz


The Rev. Paul Carrier

NEW HAVEN -- Real estate in three states worth $2.3 million, a part-time job with a Fairfield lawyer and residence at a retired Fairfield lawyer's home were not enough to secure Doug Perlitz's release on bond Thursday.

But another $3 million, as well as an additional custodian or two, might get the founder of a charitable program in Haiti out of jail until his trial on charges of sexually abusing nine of the children he was helping.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis continued the hearing to Oct. 19 after indicating she might be more receptive to a $4 million to $5 million bond with more local involvement "given the gravity of the charges."

Perlitz, a thin, sandy-haired man dressed in prison khakis, waved to supporters who packed a side of the courtroom to witness him plead not guilty to seven charges of traveling overseas to engage in sexual conduct with minors and three charges of engaging in illegal sexual conduct with minors. Each charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term.

Perlitz, 39, formerly of Fairfield, is held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I.

The arraignment was the calmest part of the 90-minute proceeding.

Margolis heard William F. Dow III, Perlitz's lawyer, disclose the "government is extremely interested in Paul Carrier," the Jesuit priest who served as Fairfield University's director of campus ministry and community service as well as headed the Haiti Fund, which raised millions for Perlitz's Project Pierre Toussaint program.

The program, which began as a street clinic grew into a residential school for street boys in Cap Haitian, Haiti, also built a two-story home where Perlitz lived. He was referred to as the "King of Project Pierre Toussaint."

Dow said if Perlitz were released on bond he could work part time in the law office of Thomas Tisdale on Spruce Street, Fairfield, and live with Anthony and Laura Sirianni in Fairfield while wearing an electronic monitoring device.

"Short of putting him in a police station, handcuffed and strapped to a radiator, this is about as tight a control to put on any person," the defense lawyer said.

But it wasn't enough for Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel, who said she knows of "no studies that those who molest children stop when they cross" a continent.

Patel, who specializes in prosecuting sexual-abuse cases, said she never had "a hands-on sex offender released by the court."

The prosecutor further advised the judge she would like to question any person who comes forward as a third-party custodian or agrees to post bond for Perlitz, as well determine who is paying for Perlitz's defense. Perlitz told a federal agent he only has "about $1,000," according to court documents.

Tisdale as well as any other "current or former board members "of the Haiti Fund could clearly be a witness in the case," Patel said. "Certain board members engaged in conduct of a very disturbing nature."

The federal probe determined more than $2 million was transferred from the Haiti Fund to an account Perlitz controlled in Haiti.

"These monies did not include other significant capital expenses and other expenses that were directly paid by the Haiti Fund for Project Pierre Toussaint," Patel said in court papers. "Perlitz had access to an enormous sum of money ... and thus far there does not appear to be an accurate accounting of what happened to these monies."

Western Union records confirm that from 2008 through 2009, "Perlitz was sending money" to individuals in Haiti formerly enrolled in his program, she said.

The prosecutor also charged that beginning in July 2008 and continuing until March, Perlitz traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet with some of the children and adults associated with his program, shuttered recently because of lack of funds. On the night before Perlitz's Sept. 16 arrest in Colorado, Patel said he admitted receiving 17 calls from Haiti.

The Haitian national police department, which began investigating Perlitz's activities, has a warrant for his arrest.

During a conversation with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Perlitz denied sexually abusing any of the children. But he allegedly said "molestation would be tough" but the victims "should just get over it ... He said he got over his father's death and even though it was tough he moved on ..." Patel disclosed in court papers.

Dow downplayed the allegations, claiming they arose out of a rift between differing groups of people operating the Haiti Fund and Project Pierre Toussaint.

"There are a number of people who support and believe fervently in his innocence and the good works he's done," Dow said.

______________________

Who’s who in the Perlitz scandal
By Chris Simmons, September 23, 2009, The Mirror

The Main Players:

Doug Perlitz:


Douglas Perlitz

The focus of an investigation into allegations of child abuse in Haiti. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Perlitz, who is now facing 10 charges: seven counts of traveling outside the United States for the purpose of engaging in sex with minors and three counts of engaging in sexual conduct in foreign places with minors. Each charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term and a $250,000 fine. Perlitz graduated from Fairfield in 1992 and started a charitable school in Haiti. Fairfield has had an indirection connection with the charity for years. Perlitz was awarded an honorary degree in 2002 and delivered the commencement speech the same year.


Paul Kendrick:



Paul Kendrick
An advocate for victims of child abuse, specifically those abused by members of the Catholic Church. He first alerted The Mirror to these allegations last year. He also wrote numerous e-mails to various faculty members asking them to speak out against Perlitz. He was issued a restraining order last year against the Bishop in Portland, ME for his protests. He has planned to protest outside the school sometime in early October.



Paul Carrier:



Fr. Paul Carrier
The former director of Campus Ministry for Fairfield, Carrier was the chairman of the board of directors for the Haiti Fund, which raised millions for Perlitz’s Project carrier Pierre Toussaint. Perlitz was also the vice president of the Haiti Fund. Perlitz and Carrier’s relationship has come under scrutiny as the allegations have been public. Carrier has not been charged with a crime nor has he been reached to comment on the situation. Last year, Carrier was removed as the chairman of the fund’s board of directors. There was some controversy when Carrier was reassigned from Fairfield by the Provincial, Fr. Thomas Regan, a former Fairfield teacher, but Fairfield has said the two situations are not related.

Other Fairfield Players:

Mark Reed:
The vice president of Student Administrative and Student Affairs, Reed met last year with The Mirror to discuss the allegations, but off the record. He has borne the brunt of Kendrick’s e-mails. The Connecticut Post also reported that Reed handled monetary support for the Haiti Fund from Fairfield.

Deb Picarazzi:
The operation assistant for Campus Ministry is also a board member for the Haiti Fund. She did not comment for this story because she is currently under a subpoena for the upcoming trial.

Larry Miners:
An economics professor, Miners was on the board of directors for the Haiti Fund.

Sue Macavoy:
A former nursing professor, Macavoy was on the board of directors for the Haiti Fund.

Fred Wheeler:
The vice president for development at Fairfield, Wheeler was on the board of directors for the Haiti Fund.

Cathy Lozier:
A former assistant tennis coach at Fairfield, Lozier was on the board of directors for the Haiti Fund.

Similar Posts:
* Government files pretrial motion to detain Perlitz
* Perlitz Trial Moving Forward
* Did the University try to cover up Perlitz allegations?
* Fairfield alum indicted for sexual abuse in Haiti
* University, local leaders tied to Perlitz indictment
* University responds to Perlitz scandal
* Words from the Web: Discussing Doug Perlitz

______________________


Man charged with Haiti sex abuse pleads not guilty
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN (AP), Oct. 8, 2009

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut man charged with sexually abusing nine boys at a school for poor children he founded in Haiti should not be released from prison because he poses a "clear and continuing danger,"federal prosecutors said.

A detention hearing was planned Thursday in New Haven to determine whether 39-year-old Douglas Perlitz, founder of the Project Pierre Toussaint school in Cap-Haitien, should continue to be held in prison.

Perlitz, who formerly lived in Fairfield County, Conn., was arrested at his home in Eagle, Colo., last month.

Authorities accused him of enticing children into sex acts by promising food, shelter, cash, cell phones, electronics, shoes and clothing.

He also withheld benefits and threatened to expel the boys if they refused to have sexual relations, prosecutors said.

Perlitz's attorney, William Dow III, said his client intends to plead not guilty and will argue he should be released from prison pending trial.

Perlitz has surrendered his passport and would be monitored electronically if released
from prison, Dow said. "There's no evidence, no claim that anyone in the United States has been endangered by my client," Dow said Thursday.

"He is a man not only with a clean record but an admirable record who enjoys the support of many many people in the face of these allegations."

In court papers filed Wednesday, prosecutors call Perlitz a sexual predator who used a charitable institution to sexually molest vulnerable children for a decade. Electronic monitoring only tells authorities where a person is, not what they are doing, prosecutors said.

There are simply no conditions of release that can assure the safety of children in the community and his appearance in court," prosecutors wrote, citing the length of the alleged crimes, Perlitz' extensive international travel and access he had to millions of dollars in donations.

Perlitz continued to visit and contact former students amid the investigation, prosecutors said."He clearly is very focused on either controlling these individuals or has little control over his sexual impulses towards minors," authorities wrote. "In either case, he presents a clear and continuing danger."While authorities allege Perlitz sexually abused nine boys, they said "many more" told Haitian authorities they were sexually abused by Perlitz for a separate investigation. Perlitz told an investigator victims of molestation "need to move on and get over it," prosecutors wrote.

Perlitz admitted "some boundaries were crossed" when he allowed children to stay overnight in his room but he denied any sexual contact with children, according to court papers.The indictment lists seven counts of traveling outside of the United States with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with minors and three counts of engaging in sexual conduct in foreign places with minors.

The educational program initially served mostly street children as young as 6 years old, and later expanded to include a residential program for high school-aged children. Children were offered meals, sports, classroom instruction and access to running water for baths.

Volunteers and staff members were scared to come forward with the allegations, the indictment says, because Perlitz controlled the school's operations and "utilized the fear of unemployment and the difficult economic situation in Haiti.

Each count in the indictment carries up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

______________________
School Founder Arraigned In Abuse Charges,
wfsb.com
Founder Of Haitian School Is Accused Of Sexually Abusing Nine Former Students, Oct. 8, 2009

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A United States district courtroom in New Haven was packed with supporters for Douglas Perlitz on Thursday.

Perlitz is accused of sexually abusing nine students at a school that he founded in Haiti. At his arraignment and detention hearing on Thursday, he plead not guilty.

In addition to calling the case circumstantial, Perlitz’s attorney said that his family offered $2 million worth of property to secure his release until trial, and a Fairfield family would let Perlitz stay with them under house arrest with an ankle bracelet.

The assistant U.S. Attorney said that he should not be released because since he had been forced out of the Haitian school, he remained in contact with former pupils, visiting them in the Dominican Republic.

The judge wants to hear more from both sides, with a higher amount of money posted for Perlitz to be released. The detention hearing was continued until the end of October.
______________________
Perlitz arraigned
By Chris Simmons,
The Mirror
, October 10, 2009

Douglas Perlitz ‘92 appeared in court for the first time on Thursday to be arraigned on 10 counts involving sexually abusing children in Haiti.

In front of a packed courtroom at the Richard C. Lee Federal Courthouse in New Haven, Perlitz, dressed in prison khakis, stood with his hands clasped behind his back and leaned forward to plead not guilty to seven charges of traveling overseas to engage in sexual conduct with minors and three charges of engaging in illegal sexual conduct with minors. Each charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term and a $250,000 fine.

But first, arguments were heard on a motion filed by the government to detain Perlitz until his trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel argued that Perlitz was a flight risk, a danger to the community, and needed to be detained until his trial. William F. Dow III, Perlitz’s attorney, responded by saying that Perlitz has no criminal record, except for a DUI this year in Colorado.

Dow also put together a package to try to secure Perlitz’s release. Perlitz’s mother offered to put up two houses, his brother another one and his uncle a fourth house for a total worth of 1.9-2.3 million dollars. Dow also argued that Perlitz’s community was 2,000 miles away in Haiti, so therefore Perlitz was no danger to the Fairfield community. Dow also said that the government has no tangible evidence and that this is a “credibility case.”

He painted a picture of Project Pierre Tousaint turning into a “Hatfield-McCoy situation” in which the group split over the allegations against Perlitz. He also noted that the Haitian National Police interrogated the boys, and according to a U.S. government study, the HNP is underfunded, under-trained and unreliable.

Dow also proposed that Perlitz be released to a third party custodian. Anthony and Mary Sirianni of Fairfield have offered to house Perlitz and monitor him if he should be released before his trial. He also proposed that Thomas Tisdale ‘78, a Southport lawyer and former board member of the Haiti Fund, could hire Perlitz on a limited basis until his trial. He finally argued that housing Perlitz in Rhode Island until his trial would interfere with his 6th Amendment right to counsel because contact with his attorneys would be limited at such a far distance.

An officer for the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System also recommended Perlitz be released. He thought the financial package was sufficient and that while “it isn’t a perfect system, but it’s the most reliable and the risk can be minimized.”

Patel had numerous problems with this proposal for Perlitz’s release. She wanted to make sure that Perlitz has no contact with potential witnesses or anyone involved in the trial, including all board members, some of whom “engaged in conduct of a very disturbing nature,” according to Patel.

At the hearing, Patel also questioned Mary Sirianni, the woman who offered to house Perlitz should he be released. Sirianni is a registered nurse while her husband, Anthony, is a wheelchair-bound retired lawyer with multiple sclerosis. Sirianni said she is receiving no compensation for offering to house Perlitz and that she and her husband were looking for a way to give back to the community. She admitted that she knew the Tisdales, who support Perlitz’s innocence, and that she met Perlitz once for 10 minutes at a birthday party. She also said that she had spoken to Fr. Paul Carrier, S.J. multiple times.

After an hour and twenty minutes of debate, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis continued the hearing to Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. She also indicated that it is likely Perlitz will be released on bail, but with substantially more money involved, most likely between $4-5 million. She also wants more third-party custodians. The government will question all third-party individuals as well to ensure they have no connection to the Haiti Fund.

Jury selection for the trial is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Jesuits break silence

Since a Bridgeport jury returned an indictment for Doug Perlitz ‘92 on Sept. 15, questions have arisen about the role of Carrier, the former director of campus ministry. The indictment refers to “a religious leader, who had met and befriended Perlitz while Perlitz attended college in Connecticut and who frequently communicated with and visited Perlitz in Haiti.” This religious leader chose the board members of the Haiti Fund, which operated as the fund-raising arm of the charity and raised large sums of money.

“The Society has been in direct contact with the U.S. Attorney’s office and has informed that office of Father Carrier’s whereabouts, ”the Society of Jesus said in an e-mail sent to the Connecticut Post by Kelly Lynch, a spokesman for the Jesuits. “The Society is cooperating fully with law enforcement in the investigation.”

Lynch also said that Carrier “currently has no assignment and is not performing any public ministry.”

When questioning Siranni, Patel asked if she knew Carrier, and during an objection, Dow said that “the government is extremely interested in him.” The U.S. Attorneys office would only say that the investigation is ongoing and they could not comment.

Forwarded By Ezili's Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Wake and Funeral of Father Jean Juste - Photos

Gade Sa Neg D'Ayiti fè Mwen! -
Look at What Haiti's Tyrants Did To Me!

Ezili Danto has written an account of the trials of Father Jean Juste in seeking medical attention in a Miami hospital. Father Jean Juste endured cruel treatment when he was ill and dependent. It is indicative of the manner that the poor are treated in general in this world. A sad and last irony that he was not afforded the dignity to die in peace. He fought against ill treatment of the poor only to have the same treatment visited on him in his last days. Father Jean Juste first contracted Leukemia while held for seven months as a political prisoner by the US appointed de facto government of Gerard LaTortue in Haiti.
"During his last hospitalization in Miami, in January of 2009, when the hospital insisted Father Jean Juste had to give up the hospital bed and leave without the medication he couldn't afford, even though he was almost at death's door unable to breathe with a respiratory problem, these women of Veye Yo, who sat with him, took turns sleeping in the hospital to comfort him, relayed this to be close to his very last words, said with some strength before he would fall into semi-consciousness. Jean Juste, a fighter to the end, told the Miami hospital that was refusing him medical care that he could not leave without three things - he asked for a wheelchair, medication for the pain and gas for his respiratory tank. The hospital refused because they said he owed too much money already and needed to pay at least half of "perhaps more than $60,000, I am not sure but he owed a lot" recalls Veronique Fleurime of Veye Yo. No Church official was there. Father Jean Juste had been fighting for human rights and equal treatment in Miami for Haitians since before 1979 when he headed Miami's Haitian Refugee Center. Ultimately it was "Ben" from Veye Yo who would hurry and apply for Medicaid to stop Jyeri from being thrown out of the hospital without any medication while so ill. Reportedly, the hospital's social worker, charged to do this task, never put the Medicaid papers through." Read more.
The article also blasts the uneven and biased coverage by the Miami Herald of the Father's death. Ezili points out that, "For every good word they are forced to say about him, there's an awful jagged-edged pen-knife-stabbing ahead or below it. To wit: ''The jail time, the illness brought a lot of wisdom,'' Jean-Mary of Notre Dame said. ``I wish he had developed it earlier. At the same time, you have to respect his convictions. He was a fighter.'' (Miami Herald, June 7, 2009)"

The Funeral Walk and Memorial Service demanding justice for Pere Gerard Jean Juste

The Funeral Walk demanding justice for Jean Juste
June 6, 2009 during final walk, after Church memorial,
to Veye Yo behind hearse that carried Father Jean Juste's body.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________



Father Jean Juste's family mourns. An inconsolable Lavarice Gaudin,
head of Veye Yo, Father Jean Juste's grassroots Miami organization
struggling for human rights for Haitian in the US and in Haiti is seated with the family,
third from right. June 6, 2009 at Church memorial for Father Jean Juste

Photo Credit: Didi Crevecoeur
____________________

Mourners listening to service under tent outside crowded church.
June 6, 2009 at Church memorial for Father Jean Juste.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________


A mourner outside the crowded church
June 6, 2009 at Church memorial for Father Jean Juste
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
The final walk, after Church memorial, to Veye Yo behind
hearse that carried Father Jean Juste's body.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
The funeral walk. The casket that carried Father Jean Juste's body.
Photo Credit: Didi Crevecoeur
____________________
The Funeral Walk
Signs display displeasure with the Catholic Church for
its treatment of Father Gerard Jean Juste
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Sign displays displeasure with the Catholic Church and the Haitian Oligarchy.
Placards read "Revolution is the only solution for the liberation of Haitians." "Judas betrayed Jesus, the Catholic Church with Group 184 steals, sacrificed Father Jean Juste." "Down with the collaborators and imperialists for liberation"
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
The Funeral Walk
Father Reginald, far right, (holding the arm of a parishioner) gave the only
memorable Church sermon during the wake, on Friday, June 5, 2009, about the hypocrisy of those who persecuted Father Jean Juste, yet now can't rush to the frontlines fast enough to praise him at his funeral in order to leverage his reputation in the community for their own political capital.

Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
The Funeral Walk in traditional Haitian Karabela dress
with a button on her headress for Jean Juste.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Crowd is watching funeral on-screen outside Church, some in traditional
Karabela Haitian dress proclaiming Father Jean Juste a Haitian Hero.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

A Haitian woman in traditional karabela Haitian dress
with a Zaka hat waiving the Haitian flag, remembering Father Jean Juste.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

Wall Memorial
Mesi Anpil - Thank you much
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
The Funeral Walk - Sign displays displeasure with
President Preval and with the Coup D'etat folks of Haiti
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

Sign accuse Coup D'etat folks in death of Father Jean Juste -
Andre Apaid, Charles Baker, Lilliane Pierre Paul, Herve St. Hilus and de facto Culture Minister, Magalie Comeau-Denis whose false accusations imprisoned Jean Juste and who, speaking during the funeral for Jacques Roche, wrongly pretended Jean Juste had something to do with Roche's death, going as far as to call Jean-Juste "a symbol of the reign of violence in Haiti."
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

Placards accuse Coup D'etat folks/Group 184 and
Church of crucifying Father Jean Juste.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Katherine Kean, documentary filmmaker, owner of the
Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant in Miami and Crowing Rooster Arts.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Gathering at Veye Yo
June 6, 2009 the gathering at Veye Yo, Father Jean Juste's
grassroots organization on 54th Street.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

Gathering at Veye Yo
June 6, 2009 the gathering at Veye Yo, Father Jean Juste's
grassroots organization on 54th Street.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Veye Yo's - Farah Juste, Lucie Tondreau, Lavarice Gaudin - address the crowd
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Veye Yo. June 6, 2009 memorial procession gathers
at Veye Yo on 54 Street, Miami, Florida.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
Veye Yo. June 6, 2009 memorial procession gathers
at Veye Yo on 54 Street, Miami, Florida.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________
A final farewell at Veye Yo
June 6, 2009 memorial procession's gathering at Veye Yo,
Father Jean Juste's grassroots organization on 54th Street.
Photo Credit: Norluck Dorange
____________________

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Most Religious Practices Originate from Vodun

The Vodun religion is practiced by over 60 million people worldwide. "Today, there are two virtually unrelated forms of the religion:
• An actual religion, Vodun practiced in Benin, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Togo and various centers in the US - largely where Haitian refugees have settled.

• An evil, imaginary religion, which we will call Voodoo. It has been created for Hollywood movies, complete with violence, bizarre rituals, etc. It does not exist in reality."1

Vodun's roots trace back 6000 years directly to the Yoruba people of sub-saharan Africa. They lived in Western Africa in The Kingdom of Dahomey from 1690 - 1901. Dahomey occupied parts of today's Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Enslaved Africans brought the Yoruba religion or Vodun with them when they were forcibly shipped to Haiti and other islands in the West Indies.

The Nok: Vodun's ancient practitioners
"In 1928, archaeologists unearthed artifacts from an amazing culture that flourished from about 500BC to AD200. The archaeologists referred to the ancient culture as the Nok, the name of a modern Nigerian village where they made their discovery."2

The Nok was the first known iron-smelting civilization in West Africa, and
the first known art-producing civilization in sub-saharan Africa.




This video is a "summary of all the essential information concerning the geography,
history, culture, technique and aesthetics of the Nok civilization." – mémoire d'afrique

How the Nok are connected to Ancient Egypt.
Sub-Saharan Africa's [Nok] relation to ancient Egypt can be substantiated [for one] via sociological means such as: "religion, which reveals the Egyptian/Nubian pantheon replicated in Benin, Togo and Nigeria from the Fon, Ewé and Yoruba cultures."3 The Nok culture predates Ancient Egyptian, and evidence from artifacts of Nok civilization shows "that a shamanic religion was established in the Nok society. Certain representations of bird-men, half-sphinx and half-sphinge can be linked to the animism of ancient Egypt."4 Also, "archeology, with the excavations carried out in Upper Egypt and Sudan, highlight[ing] the southernmost origin of Egyptian civilization."3

How Vodun/The Ancient Egyptian Cult of Isis connect to Christianity's Cult of the Virgin Mary.
There are a number of points of similarity between Roman Catholicism and Vodun:

• Both believe in a supreme being.

• The Loa [Lwa] resemble Christian Saints, in that they were once people who led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single responsibility or special attribute.

• Both believe in an afterlife.

• Both have, as the centerpiece of some of their ceremonies, a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.

• Both believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons.

• Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a met tet (master of the head) which corresponds to a Christian's patron saint.1

There is little doubt that early images of the Madonna & Child are based on that of Horus & Isis. "In addition to being the fertile wife of Osiris, Isis is honored for her role as the mother of Horus, one of Egypt's most powerful gods. She was also the divine mother of every pharoah of Egypt, and ultimately of Egypt itself. She assimilated with Hathor, another goddess of fertility, and is often depicted nursing her son Horus. There is a wide belief that this image served as inspiration for the classic Christian portrait of the Madonna and Child."5


(left) A bronze statue of Isis nursing Horus from Ptolemaic Egypt;
(right) A famous mediaeval icon of Mary and Jesus.
"In the Roman Empire, the cult of Isis was very popular throughout the Mediterranean area. It focused on the celebration of the mysteries of the death and the resurrection of Osiris. Isis, had been the consort of Osiris, and after his murder she recovered the scattered parts of his body and restored them to life. Osiris then became king of the dead and his son Horus became king of the living. The story of Isis, Osiris and Horus parallels the Christian mysteries of the virgin birth and the resurrection. It is also the origin of the certain [sic] Christian symbol of the Madonna and Child."6

Hadrian's Roman coin honoring Isis.
Also indicative of the African influence on Christianity is the fact that there are numerous sites dedicated to the Black Virgin Mary in France, Spain and Italy. The Cult of the Black Virgin reflected the "deeper senses and beliefs of newly Christianized Western Europe at the end of the Roman Period." The Black Madonna of Czestochova, the "queen" of Poland, is a well known religious icon representative of this widespread & dense network of shrines dedicated to the Black Madonna/Virgin Mary.
The Black Virgin Mary of Poland
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism and many other monotheistic religions (a single omnipotent creator-god rules over the universe along with several hundred lower gods [saints]), can trace their origins back to the religion of Vodun. This is because Vodun is a religion of a single creator-god [Olorun/God] and lesser "spirits" [lwas/saints] that promises eternal life through worship and has many other similar religious traditions reflective of the modern religions that developed later. It is therefore possible to conclude that most major religions are generally derived from Vodun.





    Mounted by the spirit of the Lwa.




    Mounted by the spirit of the Lord.


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Food donations rot in storage in New York while storm victims in Haiti die of starvation


PATRICK FARRELL/Miami Herald via McClatchy-Tribune

Judith Saintilus, 9, holds a worn-down knife she was using to search the mountainside Nov. 21 for beans in Baie d'Orange, Haiti. In the past month, international aid workers and doctors have airlifted 46 children on the brink of death from this southeastern village and neighboring communities to hospitals.

"Food donations rot in storage in New York as children in Haiti die of starvation: Governor Patterson's Timeline for projected delivery of donated storm goods for Haiti storm victims." This is the message that HLLN sent out this week concerning aid efforts for victims of the devastating hurricanes that hit Haiti in quick succession this year. Governor Patterson has accepted responsibility for the interminable delay in the delivery of the collected goods. "The delay was caused by difficulty getting government clearances and coordinating with a contact (Catholic Relief Services) in Haiti to receive the donations and make sure they got to victims, said Paterson spokeswoman Erin Duggan."

The buzz is that politics is playing a big part in keeping the shipments in New York. The situation is that aid agencies are in control of foreign aid to Haiti and the Haitian government as usual, is being cut out of the picture and were not approached directly for assistance, making it difficult for coordinating the massive effort. This situation must change. The Haitian government must assert its right as a sovereign nation; and the foreign aid groups must relent in their need to exercise control over the flow of aid to Haiti.

The Bush administration is not moved by the plight of Haitians after the hurricanes and have refused to provide any transport of the goods to Haiti.

It is regrettable and unproductive that the aid charities are the liaisons in emergency situations. Governments and charities should defer to the Haitian government. NGOs and other charities must stop their monopoly on the flow of aid to Haiti. These aid agencies are being increasingly criticized by Haitians for hindering rather than helping the Haitian people in their desperate struggle to survive under increasingly more difficult circumstances.
For the New York Community concerned about the approximately 77 Tons of goods donated in September, 2008 for the Gonaives/Haiti storm victims, that have, as of three months later, still not been sent to Haiti by New York officials, we can make the following statements:

1. According to Governor Dave Patterson's office, the first package of donated storm goods - approx. 8 tons, left New York via Airline Ambassador by boat and is scheduled to arrive in Haiti 2-weeks from the date of departure or December 23rd.

2. Fed. Express has donated one plane, scheduled to leave this week (by Dec. 13) with approximately 4 tons of food and the contracted recipient for distribution is Catholic Relief Services;

3. The items that are duly packaged and currently ready to be shipped are in storage at Stuart Airforce base.

4. The Federal government DECLINED the Govenor's request for transport. So the remaining bulk of the items donated for Haiti storm victims, an approximate 65 tons of food collected from mostly Haitians living in the Tri-State New York area remains to be shipped once arrangements for transport are made. The bulk of the September Haiti donations - 65 tons - have no transport arrangements, no shipping date.

5. This morning, Dec. 8, 2008, a community hearing was held at the Gov. Manhattan offices on the matter. Reporters where present. But since no press release will be issued on this, HLLN offers the community this brief. Several politicians spoke at the meeting, also attended by the Haitian media we are told, including Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; NY councilman Matthew Eugene, as well as Governor Patterson.

The contact person on this matter for Governor David Patterson's office is, Khari Edwards, the Brooklyn regional representatives of the Governor.

Ezili Danto/Marguerite Laurent
Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
December 8, 2008

Update
Visit the HLLN website for New York Gov. Paterson's timeline for delivery of donated goods for Haiti storm victims.

Further reading:
Gov. Paterson apologizes for delayed relief to storm-torn Haiti

Starvation slams Haiti | Kids dying after 4 storms ravage crops, livestock

Haiti: storm victims starve

Haiti aid effort unravels by Mike Thomson, BBC News, Oct. 24, 2008

Ezili Dantò on Help for the Hurricane Victims in Haiti, Sept. 12, 2008