Businessman Dudi Apple Named Main Suspect in Multi-Million Shekel Asset Concealment Case

Israeli businessman Dudi Apple has been identified as the primary suspect in a case involving the concealment of assets worth tens of millions of shekels. Alongside Apple, a senior Likud party official and two siblings, also businesspeople, are suspected. All four were questioned recently and subsequently released. The investigation is being conducted by the National Economic Crime Investigations Unit (YALAK) in Lahav 433, together with the National Unit for Bankruptcy and Economic Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice.

Apple, who has been in bankruptcy proceedings since 2012, is suspected of hiding ownership rights in various real estate properties valued at tens of millions of shekels and transferring assets under his control during the bankruptcy process. This allegedly violated his obligation to disclose and report his assets. The other suspects are also accused of concealing real estate rights, breaching reporting duties within Apple's bankruptcy proceedings.

Once a prominent businessman in the early 2000s, Apple has seen a decline in his assets and has been in bankruptcy since 2012. He was convicted of three bribery offenses involving city officials and served prison time. In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of income concealment involving tens of millions of shekels and other offenses; that investigation has concluded and the case was forwarded to the prosecution.

Apple's debt claims in bankruptcy total 87 million shekels, including 64 million owed to the Ministry of Construction and Housing. Other major creditors include Discount Bank (7.7 million), the Tax Authority (about 5 million), and Bank Hapoalim (1.6 million). Last October, a court rejected Apple's debt settlement proposal, citing significant unknowns about his financial sources and skepticism about his ability to repay such debts given his age and claimed lack of assets beyond a pension.

Apple's attorney, Ephraim Damari, stated the case is old, having been investigated about 14 years ago, and questioned why authorities are revisiting these matters after the process was concluded. Apple, the Likud official, and the siblings have not been charged or convicted in this case and maintain the presumption of innocence.