Local council head detained in public corruption probe

Israeli police detained a head of a local authority on Monday morning for questioning over suspected involvement in public corruption. The case, handled by the Lahav 433 national fraud investigation unit, is at an early stage and has now moved from a covert inquiry to an open investigation.

The official is suspected of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, threats, building-code offenses and tax violations. Police said the detention came after the investigation was exposed earlier in the day.

Alongside the questioning, police searched homes and municipal premises, and summoned additional senior officials from the local authority for questioning. The police also said that enforcement and investigative actions were taking place at several sites within the council area.

Multiple other agencies are participating in the probe, each in its own field, including the Civil Administration, Israel Tax Authority, Israel Electric Corporation, the Civil Prosecution, and the Land Enforcement Authority. Police said,