The National Fraud Unit has recently launched an investigation against Ashkelon Mayor Benny Vaknin, Ynet learned Thursday.
The investigation focuses on alleged corruption charges concerning political appointments in the municipality and fixing the production tender for the city's Breeza Music Festival.
The original complaint against Vaknin was filed by Ashkelon City Councilman Itamar Shimoni. The National Fraud Unit assigned the case to its southern division, where a special task force was formed.
Shimoni alleges that since being elected mayor, Vaknin has named over 70 individuals – all of whom he supposedly has personal ties with – to various posts in the municipality. The city councilman has also asked State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to launch a similar investigation.
As for the Breeza Music Festival, Vaknin decided to renew the annual summer music event after he was elected mayor. Said to feature performances by prominent Israeli singers such as Shlomo Artzi, Boaz Sharabi and Eyal Golan, the festival's production was to be headed by Banda Productions, which was chosen by the municipal committee.
Nevertheless, and despite the company being informed that it had won the bid, Vaknin allegedly decided to overturn the committee's decision, and name Helicon Records the producer.
The National Fraud Unit team is currently deposing several people considered persons of interest in the case, including several City employees and councilmen. Vaknin himself is to be questioned at a later date.
The Police offered the following statement: "We can confirm that a complaint regarding political appointments in the City of Ashkelon has been filed. The matter is currently under investigation and we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.
The City of Ashkelon released the following response: "We have no knowledge of an investigation, but if there is one, the City would be happy to lend its cooperation to any element involved in the investigation. Everything was done legally and transparently. Itamar Shimoni has been known to file false complaints before."