Two Years On, No Decision in Criminal Case Against Veridis
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Two years after an investigation concluded, no decision has been made on whether to indict the waste treatment company Veridis, its controlling shareholder Gil Agmon, and other executives for environmental offenses and illegal waste disposal. The company continues to receive state funding, though its disbursement is under review, while also contesting a NIS 124 million support withdrawal. Veridis and its executives deny all allegations, maintaining their innocence and compliance with regulations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- No decision has been made in the criminal case against Veridis and its executives two years after the investigation concluded.
- Veridis is suspected of illegal waste disposal and obtaining government grants through misrepresentation.
- The company is in negotiations with the Ministry of Environmental Protection to resolve disputes over state support.
- Veridis denies all allegations and believes any criminal proceedings would be dismissed.
- Lobby 99 urged the ministry to uphold its decision to withhold support from Veridis.
Two years after the investigation concluded against the public waste treatment company Veridis, its controlling shareholder Gil Agmon, and other executives, a decision on whether to indict them remains pending. The case was transferred to the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's Office, but no decision has been made regarding prosecution or even holding a pre-indictment hearing. The investigation focused on suspicions of environmental offenses, illegal waste disposal, and obtaining government grants through misrepresentation.
Veridis continues to receive state support, with funding for 2024-2026 approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. However, the disbursement of these funds is contingent on meeting certain conditions, which the ministry is currently examining. Simultaneously, Veridis is engaged in an administrative petition against the ministry after it withheld approximately NIS 124 million in support for 2022-2023. The company has since returned the funds and is contesting the decision.
Both parties have indicated they are in negotiations to resolve the disputes, including the support funding and the ongoing petition. Veridis informed the court about a month ago that these discussions might impact the proceedings and requested an update in November 2026. Judge Haya Zeidberg granted an extension, stating it was time for matters to conclude.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection confirmed it is exploring a framework to end the disputes, at Veridis's request, which includes addressing the support issue and the pending petition, as well as potential regional rehabilitation. The organization Lobby 99 has urged the ministry to uphold its decision to withhold support, arguing that negotiations grant Veridis leverage and that compromising on the return of funds would undermine deterrence and public trust.
Veridis, owned by Dedi Car, specializes in waste recycling and hazardous waste disposal. An investigation initiated in early 2023 by the police and the Ministry of Environmental Protection suspected the company of illegally burying waste disguised as compost in the Jordan Valley. This practice allegedly saved on disposal fees. The investigation also examined suspicions that waste-carrying trucks were not weighed, thus avoiding disposal fees. Veridis and its executives deny all allegations, asserting their innocence and compliance with all regulations. They believe any criminal proceedings would be dismissed.