Kfar Saba Mayor's Wife Claims He Didn't Know Amid Corruption Probe
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is under investigation for serious corruption and is only telling investigators "He didn't know" to distance her husband. Both the mayor and his wife had their detention extended by four days as the investigation, which has been ongoing covertly for over a year, probes allegations of bribery and tender manipulation. Her attorney stated she is in a severe emotional state, while sources indicate the investigation is progressing well.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is under investigation for corruption.
- She is only telling investigators "He didn't know" to distance her husband.
- The mayor and his wife had their detention extended by four days.
- The probe involves allegations of bribery, fraud, and tender manipulation.
- The investigation followed over a year of covert police operations.
- Meital Saar is reportedly in a severe emotional state.
Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is maintaining her right to silence during an investigation by the National Fraud Unit of Lahav 433, only uttering one phrase to investigators. A senior source familiar with the probe told Ynet that when confronted with serious corruption allegations, Saar stated, "He didn't know," an attempt to distance her husband from the affair. Her attorney, Haya Tzion Zakkai, confirmed Saar is acting on legal advice, adding that her client is in a very difficult emotional state and unable to respond to questions.
Earlier this week, a Rishon LeZion court extended the detention of both the mayor and his wife by four days at the police's request to complete further investigative actions. The investigation focuses on suspicions of serious financial transfers and Meital Saar's alleged behind-the-scenes management of municipal affairs. A source described the case as "very sensitive, explosive, and complex," with investigation teams, including accountants and economists, meticulously examining every shekel transferred to the mayor or his associates.
During a court hearing, Meital Saar broke down crying in front of her family. Her attorney informed the court that her client had lost five kilograms and was in a severe emotional state, requesting alternatives to detention. However, sources close to the investigation reported that it is progressing to the investigators' satisfaction.
The public investigation followed over a year of covert operations, during which police utilized significant resources, technology, and intelligence gathering to build suspicions of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses against those involved. Investigators suspect the mayor and the CEO of the economic company, with Meital Saar's prominent involvement, acted to benefit certain parties in exchange for cash bribes. In return, the suspects allegedly manipulated lucrative tenders to ensure the success of bribe-givers in various local authority domains.
Further developments revealed during the secret investigation include the involvement of known criminal elements from central Israel who allegedly participated in the bribery mechanism in exchange for winning tenders.
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