Psychologist Charged with Falsifying Diagnoses and Signatures

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against Yosef Hananel, a 73-year-old psychologist from Tel Aviv, for allegedly conducting 131 psychological assessments without proper certification, forging signatures of certified specialists, and committing fraud and tax offenses. Hananel is registered as a psychologist but does not hold an expert qualification.

According to the indictment filed in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, Hananel presented himself to patients, parents, and state authorities as qualified to perform psychological assessments and that his evaluations met legal requirements. This was allegedly done despite him not being a specialist psychologist, not being in an active internship, and not being authorized to conduct or sign these assessments.

The charges include fraud, deception, and tax offenses, stemming from his alleged practice of performing these evaluations and falsifying signatures to make them appear legitimate. The indictment details that he presented these uncertified assessments to various parties, including state authorities, implying their validity and his expertise.

Hananel's actions, as described in the indictment, involved misrepresenting his qualifications and the legitimacy of the assessments he provided. The prosecution seeks to hold him accountable for these alleged fraudulent activities and violations of professional and legal standards.