Kfar Saba Mayor, Wife, and Relative Arrested in Bribery Scandal
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
The mayor of Kfar Saba, his wife, and another relative were arrested Monday as part of a major corruption investigation. Seventeen people were arrested in total, suspected of involvement in a bribery scheme totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels. Businessmen allegedly paid the mayor and the economic company's CEO for favorable treatment on municipal tenders, with the mayor's wife reportedly involved. One suspect admitted to payments but denied criminal intent, claiming invoices were issued.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Kfar Saba's mayor, his wife, and a relative were arrested in a bribery investigation.
- Seventeen people were arrested, suspected of a bribery scheme involving hundreds of thousands of shekels.
- Businessmen allegedly paid for favorable treatment on municipal tenders, with the mayor's wife involved.
- The investigation involves various municipal projects including renovations and urban renewal.
- One suspect admitted to payments but denied criminal intent, citing proper invoicing.
Authorities have arrested the mayor of Kfar Saba, his wife, and another relative in connection with a corruption investigation that was revealed on Monday. The police are seeking to extend the detention of the suspects for five days. A hearing at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court is scheduled to begin shortly regarding requests to extend the detentions of those implicated.
According to information obtained by Walla, one of the detainees, who owns a strategic consulting and risk management firm, allegedly acted through the mayor's wife to advance his clients' interests, paying her money in return. While he did not deny the transfer of funds during his interrogation, he rejected the suspicion of criminal activity, stating, "I did not do anything criminal, the mayor's wife issued me invoices and everything was in order."
The investigation, which was previously covert and conducted by the National Fraud Investigations Unit of Lahav 433, has led to the arrest of 17 individuals, with seven others detained for questioning. Among the arrested are businessmen, individuals known to the police, and a former footballer. Police searched offices, businesses, and the homes of the suspects, seizing money and property.
The central suspicion revolves around a bribery scheme involving hundreds of thousands of shekels. Investigators believe that businessmen transferred funds, primarily cash, to the mayor and the CEO of the Economic Company. In return, the mayor and the CEO allegedly promoted the businessmen's interests and ensured they won lucrative tenders, with the mayor's wife playing a significant role. The tenders and projects under scrutiny span various municipal areas, including food trucks, renovations, educational facility upgrades during summer break, transportation, cleaning, lighting, traffic lights, and urban renewal. Investigators suspect that each project had a different "bribery rate" based on the deal's scope and the interested party's objective.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 5Right 3Haredi 2Arab 2Other 8
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
