Shas MK Haim Biton Investigated for Alleged Misuse of Public Education Funds

Shas MK Haim Biton, a former deputy minister in the Education Ministry, was questioned under caution by the Lahav 433 police unit on Sunday over suspicions of misusing public funds allocated for educational purposes. The investigation focuses on the period from 2018 to 2021 when Biton served as CEO of the Maayan Hachinuch Hatorani network. Authorities suspect that funds intended for the network were improperly used to finance the publication and distribution of the children's supplement "Avivim," which was attached to the Shas party newspaper. Additionally, employees and suppliers of the network allegedly provided services or were employed to support the newspaper.

The police attribute several offenses to the suspects, including fraud, breach of trust, false corporate documentation, and money laundering. According to police sources cited by Channel 13, the investigation is nearing completion and the case will soon be forwarded to the prosecution. Biton was first summoned for questioning in March alongside three other suspects, during which police conducted searches to seize documents related to the alleged crimes.

Simultaneously, recordings published by Channel 13 revealed Biton boasting about his influence over the Company for Community Centers, which he took charge of last year. This organization manages numerous informal educational projects with a budget close to one billion shekels. In the recordings, Biton reportedly spoke about quietly making changes benefiting ultra-Orthodox cities and the value of positions within the community centers without attracting public attention.