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Ex-Haitian Mayor Convicted of Visa Fraud for Concealing Violent Past

Jean Morose Viliena, found guilty in Boston, faces up to 10 years in prison for hiding his role in politically motivated violence in Haiti when applying for U.S. residency.

A poster used as an exhibit in court during former Haitian mayor Jean Morose Viliena's trial is seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on March 28, 2025. U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts/Handout via REUTERS
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Overview

  • Jean Morose Viliena, former mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, was convicted on three counts of visa fraud by a federal jury in Boston on March 28, 2025.
  • Prosecutors proved Viliena lied on his U.S. residency application, concealing his involvement in killings and attacks targeting political opponents in Haiti between 2007 and 2008.
  • Key evidence included witness testimony detailing Viliena's leadership in violent incidents, including a 2007 killing and a 2008 attack on a radio station, which left victims severely injured.
  • Viliena, who has been in custody since his 2023 indictment, could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for June 20, 2025.
  • This conviction follows a 2023 U.S. civil trial where Viliena was found liable for human rights abuses in Haiti and ordered to pay $15.5 million in damages.