Netanyahu probe findings handed to prosecutors
Print Edition
ISRAELI police said yesterday that they had completed an investigation into allegations Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife used public funds for their private villa. Their findings have been passed to prosecutors.
Police gave no indication of what their findings were, though Israeli media said they recommended charges against Sara Netanyahu.
The announcement comes days after the release of a separate report into alleged overcharging and conflict of interest involving Netanyahu’s past travel expenses.
Sara Netanyahu was questioned by detectives last year as part of a 15-month investigation into claims the couple spent taxpayers’ money on furniture and repairs at their villa in Caesarea.
A police statement yesterday said the inquiry had examined “suspicion of commission of criminal acts including fraudulently obtaining a benefit, fraud and breach of trust.” Among the allegations is that Sara Netanyahu pocketed at least US$1,000 from deposits on empty bottles returned from the official residence, money that should have gone to the treasury.
In 2013, Netanyahu reimbursed the state US$1,000 but the prime minister’s former butler has said the figure should have been six times higher.
The Netanyahus have dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign.
The Israeli state comptroller earlier 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,” it said.
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