The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) of World Aquatics banned four members of the Haitian Federation of Aquatics Sports (FHSA) after they were found to have misused $75,000 USD.
FHSA President Evenel Mervilus, executive director James Cius, and treasurer Jean Jean Remilus were suspended for 10 years as a result of their infractions, while adjunct treasurer Ruby King was suspended for five years.
AQIU began an investigation into the four members and their handling of funds back in January after Haitian Olympic Committee President Hans Larsen filed a complaint against the federation to World Aquatics.
The investigation found Mervilus, Cius and Remilus to have each violated the World Aquatics Integrity Code on four counts, including falsification and misuse of funds, while King was found to have violated the Code on three counts.
The group’s infractions included submitting falsified documents and receipts and failing to reimburse athletes’ travel expenses, even threatening to exclude them from competitions when concerns were raised. Around $75,000 in total was misappropriated from funds that had been allocated to support the institution’s operations as well as the nation’s athletes.
The average annual income for a worker in Haiti’s formal sector is around $2,000 per year.
Initially suspended back in early February, Cius’s and Remilus’s suspensions will conclude February 6, 2034. King’s and Mervilus’s suspensions were formally enacted on August 6, 2024 and will extend to August 6, 2029 and August 6, 2034, respectively.
Under the ban, the four members cannot participate in any aquatic-related activities or events on behalf of World Aquatics or any other continental organization, member federation or recognised body, nor can they attend World Aquatics international competitions, including the Olympic Games, in any capacity.
Mervilus has reportedly denied all allegations, instead accusing Larsen of being the one at fault.
According to Larsen, the Haitian Olympic Committee was aware of FHSA’s mismanagement of funds for approximately three years but was unable to rectify the problem internally, prompting him to file the complaint to World Aquatics.
The four FHSA members join a list of 21 other individuals who are currently banned or suspended by the AQIU after violating the World Aquatics Integrity Code.
Subject: Response to Misleading Article on Sanctions Against the Fédération Haïtienne des Sports Aquatiques
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to your recent article, which fails to present the full context and truth behind the sanctions imposed on members of the Fédération Haïtienne des Sports Aquatiques (FHSA). This article not only disregards critical facts but also omits essential details, giving readers an unfair and misleading account of the situation. I am asking you, as a steward of public information, to post the facts as I present them here so that your readers can gain an accurate understanding of the injustice at hand.
To provide clarity, it is essential to note that I am the founder and… Read more »
Protested Letters from Africa and orhers in response to the orchestrated and unjust sanctions against 4 innocent Executive FHSA Members. Read below:
Subject: Urgent Moral Obligation to Address the Unfair Sanctions Against 4 innocents Members of Haiti Aquatics and unfairness toward Mexico, Philippines, Guatemala, India, Africa, and others.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the World Aquatics Executives,
This is likely my final attempt to bring attention to the grave injustices, violations, biases, and discriminatory actions that have unfairly impacted innocent members of Haiti Aquatics. Sadly, these injustices are not limited to Haiti but extend to countries like Mexico, the Philippines, India, Guatemala, and many in my continent, Africa, who have also endured similar treatment with no action taken by key… Read more »
11 Juin 2024
Lettre ouverte à Monsieur Hans Marie Gilbert Larsen, du Comité Olympique Haïtien (COH) ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!!
Monsieur Larsen,
La Fédération Haïtienne des Sports Aquatiques (FHSA) est obligée de vous adresser cette lettre ouverte pour dénoncer vos abus, vos persécutions, vos conspirations et vos dérives administratives incessantes.
Il est de notoriété publique que vous occupez illégalement et illégitimement vos fonctions au sein du COH.
Monsieur Larsen, votre comportement est inacceptable et constitue une violation flagrante de l’Article 9 des Statuts du COH. En tant que citoyen étranger détenteur d’un Passeport Américain, au numéro 531155257, et expirera le 12 Janvier 2026. Vous saviez pertinemment que vous n’étiez pas éligible à ce poste. Pourtant, vous avez choisi de tromper délibérément les… Read more »
The accusations against Dr. Evenel Mervilus and his team are not only baseless but also part of a deliberate attempt by Hans Marie Gilbert Larsen to divert attention from his own fraudulent actions and violations of the National Olympic Committee’s statutes. Larsen, who occupies the presidency illegally, has continuously abused his position by signing checks for unspecified amounts without accountability, while turning those who demand transparency into “enemies.” It is clear that Larsen, in conspiracy with certain corrupt individuals within World Aquatics, seeks to suppress those who expose corruption and irregularities. The unjust sanctions imposed are nothing more than an orchestrated effort to silence whistleblowers, and we demand an immediate investigation into Mr. Larsen’s finances by the ULCC to uncover… Read more »
It is crystal clear that this entire situation is a conspiracy, meticulously orchestrated by Hans Marie Gilbert Larsen and World Aquatics to silence Dr. Evenel Mervilus for his courageous stance in denouncing corruption and irregularities. The false accusations and harsh sanctions imposed on Dr. Mervilus are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and force him into silence. It is evident that a significant amount of money has been spent to execute this smear campaign.
People, open your eyes and use your common sense. How can anyone believe these accusations when the Haitian Federation of Aquatic Sports receives a mere $22,500 to $25,000 per year from World Aquatics? This small sum is expected to develop swimming… Read more »
Evenel Mervilus/Federation Haitienne des Sports Aquatiques, please stick to one username within any given commenting thread. Thank you.
A significant amount of money has been spent to tarnish the reputations of four innocent members of the Haitian Aquatics Federation. The real reason behind this attack is because Dr. Evenel Mervilus, President of the Haitian Federation of Aquatic Sports, stood up against the corruption, illegitimacy, and violations committed by Dr. Hans Marie Gilbert Larsen, the self-proclaimed President of the Haitian National Olympic Committee. Dr. Mervilus also raised serious concerns about Mr. Husain Al Musallam, President of World Aquatics, and Mr. Brent Nowicki, Executive Director of World Aquatics, both of whom are under criminal investigation for corruption, money laundering, and doping. In a blatant effort to silence Dr. Mervilus, they falsely accused him and the innocent members of his federation.… Read more »
Shocking when the third world nation does exactly what is expected of a third world nation.
Wait… hold up… corruption in Haiti? Get out!