Minister Maoz Golan Appears for Questioning in Corruption Probe
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Minister Maoz Golan appeared for questioning at Lahav 433 on Wednesday as part of a corruption investigation. She had previously refused to cooperate with investigators, who suspected her of bribery, fraud, and obstruction of justice. The probe stems from allegations of misuse of NGO funds and mistreatment of staff, which Golan denies. Her mother was also questioned last year, and Golan was accused of interfering with that investigation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Minister Maoz Golan was questioned at Lahav 433 on Wednesday regarding a corruption investigation.
- Golan is suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.
- She refused to appear for questioning throughout the investigation, citing her right to remain silent.
- The probe involves allegations of misuse of NGO funds and mistreatment of staff.
- Golan denies the allegations, claiming reports against her are false.
- She was also accused of interfering with her mother's police questioning last year.
Minister for Social Equality and Women's Advancement Maoz Golan was questioned on Wednesday at Lahav 433, Israel's national fraud investigation unit, in connection with a corruption investigation.
In June, police announced the conclusion of their investigation into Golan, who is suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, obtaining property by deception under aggravated circumstances, forgery with intent to obtain, obstruction of justice, and hindering a police officer. Golan had refused to appear for questioning throughout the investigation, similar to her Likud party colleague Tali Gottlieb. Police proceeded with the investigation without Golan's testimony, treating her refusal as an exercise of her right to remain silent.
A year prior, an investigation by Channel 12 News revealed alleged systematic fraudulent activities by Golan and her associates. The report claimed Golan misused funds from "Ha'Ir Ha'Ivrit," an NGO she founded to combat the presence of refugees in south Tel Aviv, and mistreated her staff. The NGO reportedly received substantial donations without using them for local activities. Golan allegedly received a salary from the NGO, which is illegal as she was a board member. Furthermore, her associates allegedly secured government jobs for their relatives. One associate, Ehud Gabai, served on Golan's NGO board and received payments from both the Knesset and the NGO, including for legal advice concerning a lawsuit that was never filed.
Golan denied the report, claiming it was false and that audio recordings were fabricated using artificial intelligence. Following the report, an investigation was launched, and several of Golan's associates were arrested. One associate agreed to become a state's witness, but retracted his cooperation at the last minute during a hearing to extend his detention, which Golan attended.
In September of last year, Golan reportedly interfered with her mother's police questioning. Her mother was being investigated for fraud and misuse of public funds. During the questioning at the Tel Aviv South station, Golan arrived, and according to a source, the two began shouting at officers before leaving together, with Golan escorting her mother out in a wheelchair. This incident led to additional suspicions against Golan, including obstruction of justice, hindering a police officer, and breach of trust.
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