Arbitrator Slams Accountant Buchnik for Unreliable Testimony in Sofrin Case

Retired Judge Shaul Mannheim has issued a scathing arbitration ruling against accountant Ofir Buchnik, finding his testimony "unreliable" and a deliberate tactic to obscure a baseless lawsuit. Buchnik, representing his own firm, had sued the construction company Sofrin for 3.6 million shekels, alleging delays and incomplete work on commercial units, a storage room, and parking spaces he purchased in the "We Towers" project in Tel Aviv. Sofrin was the engineering manager for the tower.

Mannheim dismissed Buchnik's claims entirely, criticizing his failure to prove key elements of his case, particularly regarding alleged misrepresentations. The judge noted that Buchnik, as a professional accountant, should have documented any crucial representations in writing, especially if they were conditions for his investment. The absence of such documentation, even after joining the purchase group and taking possession, was a significant factor in the ruling.

In contrast, Mannheim found the testimony of Leon Sofrin to be credible and straightforward. He characterized Buchnik's testimony as evasive, marked by the late introduction of material facts without adequate explanation, and a pattern of attempting to shift the burden of proof. The judge concluded that Buchnik's actions were a "clearly inappropriate tactic" intended to disguise the lack of factual or legal basis for the lawsuit.

Mannheim's final award stated that Buchnik "completely failed, factually and legally, to establish any liability on the part of the defendant" regarding the claims. Buchnik was ordered to pay 200,000 shekels in legal costs, plus additional unspecified amounts. Buchnik was represented by attorney Yaron Nadam, and Sofrin by attorney Eran Kaner.