Singer Michal Hakatanah Alleges Ex-Manager Stole 1 Million Shekels
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Singer Michal Hakatanah claims ex-manager stole 1 million shekels.
- Manager allegedly used credit card for personal expenses over years.
- Suspicion arose from unexpected transaction notifications.
- Defense admits personal use but disputes total amount.
- Shechter faces aggravated fraud charges; trial is underway.
Singer Michal Weizman, known as Michal Hakatanah, testified in the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court on Sunday in the trial of her former personal manager, Sagi Shechter. According to the indictment, Shechter allegedly used a credit card entrusted to him for work purposes for personal transactions totaling approximately one million shekels over several years, from January 2018 to April 2024. The indictment claims Shechter made both physical and online purchases for his own needs, not for his professional duties.
Weizman recounted that suspicion arose when her ex-husband, Nir Weizman, received a notification about a transaction at a garage in Ra'anana. After confirming she had no connection to the location, they began investigating the card's activity. Weizman stated the card existed but was not actively used by the family, and Shechter's gradual usage went unnoticed initially. Transactions included payments for Arnona (municipal taxes), fuel, and taxis.
Nir Weizman also testified, explaining that in 2024, the family registered for SMS alerts for card transactions. Numerous unfamiliar charges, including those from Ra'anana where Shechter resides, began to appear. Following their investigation, a police complaint was filed. Initially, the family believed the sum was smaller, but their review revealed it reached about one million shekels. Nir Weizman added that Shechter's family members also allegedly used the card.
The defense disputes the amount claimed in the indictment. Assaf Duk, Shechter's attorney, stated during the hearing that his client admits to personal use of the card but contends the total amount was significantly less, estimating it between 200,000 and 250,000 shekels.
Weizman described Shechter as being very close to the family, like a member, but their relationship ended upon her discovery of the card's misuse. Shechter, 55, from Ra'anana, faces multiple charges of aggravated fraud. His trial began in November 2025 at the Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court.
Mentioned
