Israel Police’s National Fraud Investigation Unit in Lahav 433 moved on Monday from a covert inquiry to an open investigation into suspected public corruption in a local authority. As part of the operation, the head of the authority was detained for questioning after a period of secret surveillance based on information received by the unit.
At the same time, investigators raided several locations and searched homes and the local authority’s offices. Additional senior officials at the authority were also summoned for questioning as part of the case.
The investigation is being carried out alongside broad enforcement activity across several sites in the council area. Other bodies are involved as well, including the Civil Administration, the Tax Authority, the Israel Electric Corporation, the Civil Prosecution, and the Real Estate Enforcement Authority, each acting within its own mandate.
Police said the case is still in its early stages and that further investigative and enforcement steps are expected as the suspicions are examined.