A former Haitian mayor residing near Boston has been found guilty of visa fraud for concealing his involvement in politically driven violence, which resulted in one death and multiple injuries. The man, Jean Morose Viliena, has been staying in Malden, Massachusetts, and faced charges for lying on his visa application by denying participation in extrajudicial acts and political violence against citizens of Haiti.
While serving as mayor of Les Irois, a secluded town of approximately 22,000 residents in western Haiti, Viliena was accused of orchestrating violent actions against political rivals. The town is notably hard to reach, connected only by a dirt road through the mountainous region. Viliena now confronts a potential 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
In 2007, federal officials claim Viliena led an attack on a political foe’s home, during which his group allegedly caused the death of the opponent’s younger brother by shooting him and crushing his head with a rock.
Additionally, it is alleged that in 2008, Viliena mobilized armed supporters with firearms, machetes, and other tools to dismantle a community radio station he opposed. Reports state he physically assaulted one man and ordered the shooting of two individuals, both of whom survived but sustained severe injuries, resulting in one losing a leg and the other losing vision in one eye.
The defense contended that members of a competitor political faction, some of whom are witnesses for the government, were the true perpetrators of the violence. They portrayed Viliena as a farmer’s son who pursued a teaching career before entering politics to enhance his community’s welfare.
Moreover, in 2023, Viliena was held accountable by a U.S. jury in a civil lawsuit concerning the fatal and attempted killings, leading to a $15.5 million damages award against him.