Kfar Saba Mayor, Wife Detained for 8 Days Amid Bribery Probe

A Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended the arrest of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar and his wife, Mital, by eight days on Monday. The couple is suspected of exploiting their positions in exchange for bribes and personal gain. They were arrested earlier in the day along with approximately 20 other suspects. The alleged offenses include corruption, extortion, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

While Mital Saar remained silent during questioning, her husband Rafi asserted his innocence, stating he had not taken any money and had not acted to influence any tenders or engage in improper conduct. Judge Yuval Kidar noted a reasonable suspicion that Mital Saar was deeply involved in the city's affairs, allegedly receiving unexplained funds and engaging in criminal acts. The investigation also indicated recent actions to obstruct the inquiry.

Mital Saar's attorney protested her arrest in front of the couple's children, questioning the necessity of such a public apprehension. Police described Mital Saar, who holds no official position, as a central figure in the affair, with "her hand in everything." Investigators from Lahav 433's National Fraud Unit stated she influenced municipal decisions in exchange for money, calling her "the strong woman in the municipality" and highlighting the extensive scope of the case involving public figures and criminal elements, with 135 investigative actions underway.

During the hearing for Mayor Rafi Saar, his attorney, Micah Patman, argued for a separation between the mayor and his wife, claiming Rafi had no knowledge of his wife's financial dealings and suggesting she might have acted independently. However, investigators Ronen Gingold and Daniel Cohen countered that the mayor was not only aware but also a partner in the criminal activity, suggesting his attempts to distance himself were a deliberate tactic. They asserted that bribery offenses were committed jointly and that the cash seized belonged to both.

Judge Kidar cited suspicions of bribery, conspiracy, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering against Rafi Saar, stating he and his wife allegedly received illegitimate funds to influence tenders and advance interests. Meanwhile, the arrest of the CEO of the Economic Company, CEO of the municipal economic company, was extended by four days on charges of bribery, breach of trust, and fraud. His attorneys deny all allegations.

The investigation, which began about 18 months ago, uncovered a suspected mechanism where businesspeople approached the mayor's wife, leading to a "give and take" arrangement for winning tenders and projects. To conceal the favoritism, projects were allegedly transferred from the municipality to its economic company, with coordination between the couple and the CEO. Obstacles were reportedly placed before other tender participants, and projects were awarded to business associates with whom the couple allegedly had connections. The alleged corruption spans various municipal activities, including school renovations, food truck placements, business openings, entertainment complexes, sports, transportation, traffic lights, street lighting, and cleaning services.

City hall employees described a sense of familiarity with such events, referencing the previous mayor, Yehuda Ben-Hamo, who was convicted of corruption. However, the current case also involves the economic company, which employees claim operates as a separate entity.