Tel Aviv Court Lifts Ban on Naming Lawyer Suspected of Tax Evasion on 10 Million Shekels
The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has lifted a six-month gag order, allowing the publication of the name of Ahikam Grady, a central Israel-based lawyer under investigation by the Israeli Tax Authority. Grady is suspected of failing to report approximately 10 million shekels in income from legal services between 2019 and 2024. Authorities also allege he concealed real estate assets from his wealth declaration and evaded purchase tax by transferring property ownership to family members while retaining actual control and rental income.
The investigation began following a review of Grady's business records, revealing significant discrepancies including unreported income received via bank transfers, credit, checks, and digital payments. Further suspicions include the misuse of trust account funds for personal use amounting to at least 500,000 shekels. Several months ago, the probe became public, leading to searches of Grady's home and office where numerous documents and computer materials were seized.
Grady denies all allegations, claiming the suspicions and amounts are unfounded. His lawyers requested the gag order remain in place, arguing that publicizing his name would cause irreparable harm beyond typical damage faced by other suspects. However, the court rejected this request, noting that the reputational and economic harm to Grady is not greater than that experienced by other individuals publicly named in investigations, such as model Bar Refaeli and singer Eyal Golan.
Grady's attorney, Avraham Shehabi, stated that the tax authority's claims are based on comparing bank deposits to reported revenues without recognizing that not all deposits constitute income. He criticized the tax authority for not engaging with Grady to clarify these transactions and described the case as an unfounded civil dispute rather than a criminal matter. Grady has not been charged or convicted and retains the presumption of innocence.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of tax compliance among professionals and the use of family members in real estate transactions to avoid taxes in Israel.
