Kfar Saba Mayor Denies Bribery Allegations, Blames Wife

Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar has denied allegations of taking money from developers bidding on municipal tenders. In recordings from his interrogation, broadcast by Kan News on Monday, Saar insisted, "I did not receive money from anyone." When questioned about hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash found in his home, the mayor stated, "They belong to my wife. I am not involved in any improper conduct." His wife, Mital, is also a suspect in the affair. Both were arrested earlier on Monday, with their detention extended for eight days. The investigation, which began after police wiretapped the couple for 18 months, uncovered conversations about money transfers and the couple's fear of being caught. Cash bundles were found not only at their home but also in their vehicles and at the residences of their associates. Investigators believe this represents an ongoing cash flow, not a one-time event, spanning the entire period of the tenders. The estimated bribe amount is in the millions of shekels, with suspicions that the incidents began in 2019, a year after Saar's election. The investigation also revealed that the couple financed numerous purchases, including foreign trips, jewelry, and clothing, with cash. Investigators found large sums of cash neatly packaged during searches. Saar drives a Tesla, while his wife drives a luxury Audi. High-end items from brands like Prada, Rolex, and Cartier were also discovered in their home. Investigators suspect that municipal tenders across nearly all sectors were awarded to associates, business partners, and even criminals, in exchange for cash payments to the mayor's wife, who allegedly maintained direct contact with them. Businessmen reportedly knew that by contacting the mayor's wife, who acted as an intermediary, she would work behind the scenes to ensure they won tenders, leveraging her husband's position as mayor and head of the planning and building committee.