Local authority chief questioned in suspected corruption probe

After a covert investigation, Israel Police’s Lahav 433 National Fraud Unit, known as YAHAP, detained a local authority head for questioning this morning on suspicion of involvement in public corruption. Investigators said the case is only at an early stage and that additional steps will be taken to get to the truth.

The probe began covertly after information was received by the unit, and this morning it moved into an overt phase. Along with questioning the authority head, investigators are searching homes and municipal offices, and additional senior officials in the authority have been summoned for questioning.

Since the morning, enforcement and investigative actions have also been taking place at several sites within the council’s area. The agencies involved and cooperating in the case include the Civil Administration, the Israel Tax Authority, the Israel Electric Corporation, the Civil Prosecution, and the Land Enforcement Authority, among others.

Authorities stressed the presumption of innocence, saying the local authority head has not been convicted of any offense and is presumed innocent.