Ex-Prison Service Official Convicted of Bribery and Theft
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
A former Israel Prison Service construction official, Arkady Shkobietsky, was convicted on Monday of bribery, theft, and money laundering totaling approximately NIS 350,000. The court found he exploited his position to inflate contractor bids and direct work to specific subcontractors for illicit profit. Shkobietsky and his wife were also convicted of tax offenses related to undeclared income. The conviction is part of the "Money Cage" affair, which has seen other defendants also convicted.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Israel Prison Service official Arkady Shkobietsky was convicted of bribery, theft, and money laundering.
- The total amount involved in the corruption and theft charges is approximately NIS 350,000.
- Shkobietsky influenced contractor selection and inflated project prices for personal gain.
- He also performed private work at his home, partially funded by the Prison Service.
- Shkobietsky and his wife were convicted of tax offenses for undeclared income.
- The conviction is part of the larger "Money Cage" affair involving multiple defendants.
A central district court in Lod convicted Arkady Shkobietsky, formerly the head of construction for the Central District in the Israel Prison Service (IPS), on Monday for a series of offenses including bribery, theft by a public servant, and money laundering, totaling approximately NIS 350,000. The conviction comes more than six years after the indictment in the "Money Cage" affair.
According to the ruling, Shkobietsky exploited his authority and the dependence of contractors working with the IPS to establish a corrupt system. In his role, he was responsible for construction and maintenance work in the Central District, supervising contractors, and approving projects and payments. The court found that he dictated the identity of subcontractors to the main contractors, influenced project pricing, and sometimes instructed to inflate bids beyond actual costs, allowing illicit profits for himself and the contractors.
Shkobietsky also received checks intended for subcontractors, strengthening his control. He demanded inflated bids to pocket a portion of the funds. Additionally, he carried out private work at his home, partly funded by the IPS budget. He was convicted of receiving bribes and theft by a public servant totaling about NIS 350,000, as well as money laundering offenses.
Shkobietsky was also convicted of tax offenses for failing to report income from bribes and theft to the Tax Authority. He was further convicted for undeclared rental income. His wife, Natalia Shkobietsky, was also convicted of tax offenses for allegedly failing to report rental income from numerous properties they leased.
The ruling, spanning over 300 pages, followed a lengthy process including 25 evidentiary hearings. The court partially acquitted Shkobietsky on two charges and rejected his claims of a setup and harassment by IPS elements. As part of the "Money Cage" affair, indictments were filed against seven other defendants, who were convicted of bribery and money laundering offenses.
Mentioned
