Kfar Saba Mayor's Wife Arrested in Corruption Probe

Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba

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Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, was arrested in a widening corruption probe, with police calling her a "central figure" allegedly exploiting her position for bribes. A judge found high reasonable suspicion for her deep involvement in municipal affairs, including bribery and extortion. The investigation has led to the arrest of the mayor, the CEO of the municipal economic company, and 21 others, with investigators estimating hundreds of thousands of shekels were exchanged for project approvals.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, was arrested in a corruption investigation.
Police allege Saar was a "central figure" who "exploited her position" for bribes.
A judge found high reasonable suspicion for her involvement in bribery and extortion.
The probe has also led to the arrest of Mayor Rafi Saar and 21 others.
Investigators estimate hundreds of thousands of shekels were exchanged for project approvals.
The investigation involves allegations of bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice.

Kfar Saba Mayor's Wife Arrested in Corruption Probe — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Meital Saar, the wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, has been arrested as part of a widening corruption investigation into the municipality. Police allege Saar was a "central figure" in the case, "with her hand in everything," and that she "exploited her position as the mayor's wife to receive bribe money and promote personal interests within the municipality." A judge ruled that there is a high level of reasonable suspicion that she was deeply involved in municipal affairs, allegedly in exchange for money, and committed offenses including bribery, extortion, conspiracy to commit a crime, tax offenses, and obstruction of justice.

The investigation, which began covertly and has now moved to its public phase, involves extensive evidence gathering, including 135 investigative actions, 86 of which police claim could be compromised if suspects are released. Investigators believe that hundreds of thousands of shekels may have been transferred to the couple, with different "tariffs" for bribes set for various projects. The probe also examines alleged involvement in appointments, dismissals, and the advancement of specific businesses, with some projects allegedly channeled through the municipal economic company to centralize decision-making.

Mayor Rafi Saar, the municipal economic company's CEO, and 21 other suspects were also arrested. Police sought to extend the mayor's detention for nine days. During a hearing, Saar's attorney criticized the arrest, noting she and her husband were detained in front of their daughters, and requested her detention be limited to 24 hours. The judge, while acknowledging Saar's personal circumstances, noted that some suspects, including Saar, are exercising their right to remain silent, hindering the investigation. Saar expressed distress over the whereabouts of her teenage daughters during the hearing.