_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brener")
Illustration
Photo: Yaron Brener
Woman accused of embezzling Sderot donations
Court extends remand of Gvanim Association's former accountant accused of stealing tens of thousands of shekels from Sderot aid funds. Suspect denies allegations, attorney says, 'She is in shock'
The Beersheba Magistrate's Court extended by four days the remand of Anat Dayan, who is suspected of embezzling funds from the Gvanim Association that aids residents of Sderot.
Dayan, a 37-year-old Ashkelon resident, allegedly stole tens of thousands of shekels from donations during her tenure as the association's accountant from September 2006 to February 2007.
According to the allegations brought against her, Dayan forged documents and used them to embezzle funds.
The affair was exposed when the association's financial manager filed a complaint with the Southern District's Fraud Investigations Unit in December 2007.
During the hearing a police detective said documents and material recently uncovered led to a breakthrough in the investigation and the suspect's arrest.
A similar indictment was filed against Dayan for embezzlement from a company she worked for between the years 1999 and 2002. According to the indictment filed at the Kiryat Gat Magistrate's Court, Dayan stole some NIS 1.5 million (about $377,600).
Dayan's attorney, Herzl Samila told Ynet, "My client was questioned on the incident three years ago. In her emotional state cannot recall many details.
"She wasn't even presented with the documents pertaining to her case. My client has said in all honesty that she did not break any laws and does not understand why these allegations are being made against her. She is in shock."
At the end of the hearing Judge Ido Rozin decided to extend Dayan's remand by four days.
