Senior Israeli Tax Authority Official Faces Criminal Probe Over Privacy Violations and Fraud Allegations

Elad Goldberg, a senior deputy director at the Israeli Tax Authority responsible for procurement, assets, and logistics, is under criminal investigation for alleged offenses including fraud, breach of trust, privacy violations, and receiving items by deception. The police announced on Monday that the case has been transferred to the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office for a decision on whether to file charges. The investigation, jointly conducted by the Lahav 433 Fraud Investigation Unit and the Civil Service Commission, also involves Goldberg's personal assistant, who is suspected of collaborating in the alleged offenses.

According to the police, evidence suggests that Goldberg and his assistant acted in conflict of interest, violated employees' privacy, and unlawfully accessed another person's mobile phone. Goldberg was questioned under caution in late May but was never arrested. Investigators allege that Goldberg locked an employee in his office, demanded the employee’s phone, and searched it for messages and recordings, leading to suspicions of false imprisonment, obstruction of justice, and breach of trust.

The case, dubbed "Code Break 2" by police, follows a prior investigation into Goldberg for illegal phone access that was closed by prosecutors. Sources familiar with the case say new evidence supports the current allegations. It is claimed Goldberg suspected an employee of defamation and sought to expose him by inspecting his phone. Additional suspicions include Goldberg receiving an electric vehicle charging station at his home under false pretenses, allegedly intended for a family member’s car rather than one provided by the Tax Authority.

Goldberg’s lawyers criticized the criminal investigation as unwarranted and based on minor issues, expressing hope for a swift case closure. The Tax Authority declined to comment, and no response was received from the Civil Service Commission. The police have now handed the case to the prosecution for review and decision on indictment.