Netanyahu Spending Scandal: File Sent to Attorney!
Local Editor
"Israeli" police said Sunday they had completed a probe into reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife used public funds for their private villa, with the findings now passed on to prosecutors.
The completion of the inquiry came as a key party in the premier's newly expanded right-wing coalition threatened to bring it down over a demand related to the military.
Police gave no indication of the results of their investigation, though "Israeli" media reported that they recommended charges against Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister's wife.
The announcement comes days after the release of a separate official report into alleged overcharging and conflict of interest involving Netanyahu's past travel expenses.
Sara Netanyahu was questioned by fraud squad detectives last year as part of a 15-month investigation over claims the couple spent taxpayers' money on garden furniture and electrical repairs at their private villa in the exclusive coastal resort of Caesarea.
A police statement said Sunday that the inquiry began in February 2015 and examined "suspicion of commission of criminal acts including fraudulently obtaining a benefit, fraud and breach of trust."
"All of the alleged evidence ... was passed to the "Jerusalem" district attorney, who has been following the investigation, for the purpose of studying the material and reaching a decision [whether to prosecute]," it said.
The statement did not comment further but "Israeli" media said the police recommended that the district attorney file charges against Sara Netanyahu and others, but not her husband.
Among the reports is that Sara Netanyahu pocketed at least $1,000 from deposits on empty bottles returned from the official residence between 2009 and 2013, money that should have gone to the treasury.
In 2013, Netanyahu reimbursed the state $1,000 but the premier's former butler has said that the figure should have been six times higher.
Netanyahu has dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign.
Tuesday the "Israeli" comptroller issued a report on Netanyahu's foreign trips, some with his wife and children, in 2003-05 when he was finance minister.
"Trips by Mr. Netanyahu and his family, funded by external bodies during the period in which he served as finance minister, deviated from regulations on the subject and as such could give the appearance of obtaining a benefit or of a conflict of interest," the report said.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
- Related News
Knesset Member: ‘Israel’ Facing Economic Disaster
4 months ago
