Kfar Saba Mayor, Wife Arrested in Corruption Probe

By חדשות כיפה

Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba

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Hebrew · 9 newsrooms covering

Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar and his wife Meital were arrested and had their detention extended by eight days as part of a corruption investigation involving tender manipulation and money laundering. A source claims Meital Saar effectively managed the city and facilitated bribe transfers. The investigation involves 17 arrested suspects and plans for 135 further actions, with seized assets including cash and property.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar and his wife Meital were arrested and had their detention extended by eight days.
The investigation centers on alleged municipal tender manipulation, money laundering, and conspiracy.
A source claims Meital Saar effectively managed the city and was a key link in bribe transfers.
Seventeen suspects were arrested, including the municipal economic company's CEO and businessmen.
The probe follows the conviction of former Mayor Yehuda Ben Hamo for corruption four years ago.

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

A Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended the arrest of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar and his wife, Meital, by eight days on Sunday, as they are suspected of involvement in a serious corruption case. The investigation includes allegations of municipal tender manipulation, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit a crime. During the hearing, Meital Saar remained silent, while Rafi Saar claimed he did not take money for himself and acted legally.

A source familiar with the case stated that Meital Saar was significantly involved in the municipality's operations, effectively managing the city and acting as the link for bribe transfers and tender manipulation. The source added that cash was allegedly used to conceal evidence, and investigators had been monitoring the suspects for 18 months. The police informed the court that 135 additional investigative actions are planned and that releasing the suspects could jeopardize the investigation.

Meital Saar's attorney, Haya Tzion Zakai, criticized her client's arrest, noting it occurred in front of her two daughters, aged 14 and 15. The investigation, led by the National Fraud Investigations Unit of Lahav 433, became public with the arrest of 17 suspects and the detention of seven others. Among those arrested are the CEO of the municipal economic company, other employees, and businessmen. Bribes were allegedly paid primarily in cash in exchange for favorable outcomes in municipal tenders. Money and property were seized during searches.

Also arrested are a former footballer with a prior prison sentence and several known criminals suspected of involvement. Opposition figures in the city council claim they had long warned about the mayor's conduct but were ignored, alleging that criminal elements had taken over the city. This case emerges about four years after the former mayor of Kfar Saba, Yehuda Ben Hamo, was convicted of corruption offenses and sentenced to 24 months in prison.