Kfar Saba Mayor's Wife Accused of Receiving Cash in Bribery Probe

Gil Menashe, one of the suspects in a bribery case involving the Kfar Saba municipality, is accused of twice receiving cash from Meital Saar, the wife of Mayor Rafi Saar, according to Kan News. Investigators suspect the money was a bribe for food businesses in which Menashe is allegedly covertly involved. Menashe has a prior conviction for a large scam alongside Arbel Aloni, who was involved in the murder of taxi driver Derrick Roth. Menashe is also suspected of threatening rival entrepreneurs to clear the way for his associates, as part of a bribery scheme allegedly operated by Meital Saar as well. Menashe denied the allegations in his interrogation, stating he has no connection to municipal tenders. Meital Saar has invoked her right to remain silent during questioning. The investigation, which has been ongoing for 18 months, began after police wiretaps. Recordings captured conversations about money transfers, and in another, the mayor and his wife expressed concern about being caught. Cash packages were found not only at their home but also in their vehicles and at the residences of individuals close to the couple. Investigators believe the transactions represent a continuous flow of cash, not isolated incidents, spanning the entire tender period. The estimated scale of the bribes is in the millions of shekels, with events reportedly starting in 2019, about a year after Saar was elected mayor. The investigation also revealed that the couple funded numerous purchases, including foreign trips, jewelry, and clothing, with cash. Investigators discovered large sums of cash, neatly packaged, during searches. The mayor drives a Tesla, and his wife drives a luxury Audi. Luxury items from brands like Prada, Rolex, and Cartier were also found in their home. The bribery scandal has shaken Kfar Saba, with residents expressing anger over the developments and new details emerging from the investigation into the mayor.