Deputy Mayor of Rishon Lezion Reveals His Identity in Sex Offense Probe
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Rishon Lezion Deputy Mayor Avi Chaim revealed his identity in a sexual offense investigation involving a municipal employee. Chaim waived a gag order, asserting his innocence and belief in a false complaint. The alleged offenses occurred years ago in his office, with the complainant claiming inability to resist him. The case is now with prosecutors, described as a "word against word" situation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rishon Lezion Deputy Mayor Avi Chaim is under investigation for alleged sexual offenses.
- Chaim revealed his identity and waived a gag order, claiming innocence.
- The alleged offenses occurred years ago in his office against a municipal employee.
- The complainant claims she could not resist the deputy mayor.
- The investigation file is now with the State Attorney's Office for a decision.
Avi Chaim, the Deputy Mayor of Rishon Lezion, has revealed his identity as the individual under investigation for alleged sexual offenses against a municipal employee. Chaim appeared before the court and announced on Tuesday that he is waiving a gag order that had previously protected his name in the case. The court was scheduled to hear a request to lift the publication ban on Wednesday, but Chaim, on the advice of his attorney Ofer Almog, decided to forgo the order. "He believes fully in his innocence and that this is a false complaint," stated Almog. "He feels no need to hide behind a gag order and therefore decided to waive it. The suspect trusts law enforcement authorities to uncover the truth in his case."
According to suspicions, the alleged sexual offenses occurred several years ago in Chaim's office. The complainant is not a direct subordinate but rather a secretary to another senior official in the municipality. The affair came to light in August, leading to Chaim's 30-day suspension from the city hall building, after which he returned to work. The investigation file is now with the State Attorney's Office, which will decide on the matter, currently described as a "word against word" situation. Chaim maintains that any interactions in his office were consensual, while the complainant asserts she was unable to resist the deputy mayor, described as one of the most powerful figures in city hall.
