Mayor of Kfar Saba and Wife Arrested in Corruption Probe
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife Meital were arrested along with 14 others in a major corruption investigation involving bribery and tender manipulation. Police suspect the couple received cash bribes for influencing municipal contracts, with the mayor's wife allegedly playing a key role. The probe, which began in 2019, has uncovered alleged involvement of criminal elements and the seizure of cash and luxury items.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife Meital were arrested in a corruption investigation.
- They are suspected of receiving cash bribes to manipulate municipal tenders.
- The mayor's wife allegedly received cash and acted as the main contact with contractors.
- The investigation involves alleged tender manipulation for urban renewal, schools, and other projects.
- Police seized cash, luxury vehicles, and designer bags during the operation.
- The probe began in 2019 and has uncovered involvement of criminal elements.
Police have arrested the mayor of Kfar Saba, Rafi Sa'ar, his wife Meital, the CEO of the municipal economic company, and 14 others in connection with a suspected corruption scheme within the municipality. A total of 24 individuals, including public officials and businessmen, were detained or questioned as part of the investigation, which began with intelligence reports in 2019. The mayor and his wife are suspected of receiving cash bribes in exchange for manipulating tenders for urban renewal projects, school renovations, traffic lights, food stalls, and sports facilities.
Authorities allege that Meital Sa'ar played a central role, acting as the primary contact with contractors and receiving cash payments, which were allegedly used to purchase luxury goods and jewelry. Investigators believe that while she acted to distance the mayor, evidence also links him to the offenses. The investigation, led by the National Fraud Unit of Lahav 433, has uncovered the involvement of known criminal elements from central Israel.
During searches, police seized bundles of cash, luxury vehicles, and designer bags. The scale of the alleged offenses involves millions of shekels in manipulated tenders, with the couple suspected of pocketing tens to hundreds of thousands of shekels. The mayor, who also chairs the Kfar Saba planning and building committee, allegedly used his position to favor certain contractors and deter others from bidding.
The investigation is ongoing, with the economic department of the State Prosecutor's Office overseeing the case. The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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