State strikes second deal in Hirchson case
Former finance minister's trial begins at Tel Aviv District Court as prosecution pleads out former National Labor Federation financial chief in exchange for testimony against Hirchson
The State Prosecutor's Office struck another plea bargain with one of the defendants involved in the fraud case pending against former Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.
Thursday also marked the beginning of Hirchson's trial, heard by the Tel Aviv District Court. Hirchson was indicted on included multiple counts of theft, fraud, breach of trust, fraudulently obtaining funds, money laundering and falsifying corporate documents, in April.
According to the indictment, Hirchson is suspected of embezzling a little over NIS 4 million (over $1.2 million) during his tenure as head of the National Labor Federation, between 1998 and 2005.
Ovadia Cohen, the former head of finances in the National Labor Federation, is now considered the key witness in the case against the former finance minister.
He stands to plead guilty of embezzling some NIS 2 million ($571,000) and giving Hirchson the money.
Once the court grants the plea, Cohen is expected to serve a 4.8-years jail term and pay a NIS 70,000 ($20,000) fine.
According to the plea agreement, Cohen will admit to the fact that between 2000 and 2003 he regularly handed Hirchson monthly cash payments, in the amount of NIS 25,000 ($7,000). Cohen also embezzled an additional NIS 6 million ($1.7 million) to help his brother pay off gambling debts, and illicitly funded 14 trips abroad form himself.
In exchange for his testimony against Hirchson, the State agreed to strike two counts from the original indictment filed against Cohen, pertaining to two other cases of embezzlement: One of NIS 400,000 ($115,000) and the other of NIS 23,000 ($6,600).
The plea bargain was said to be negotiated from the time the State decided to indict Hirchson, and prompted by the fact the Cohen offered his full cooperation to the police and the prosecution from day one.
Hirchson's attorney, Yaakov Weinroth, said that several high ranking officials in the National Labor Federation – Cohen included – have been trying to frame his client for their own wrongdoings.
Hirchson pled not guilty on all counts.
Vered Luvitch contributed to this report
