Danny Dankner
Photo: Moti Kimchi
Former Bank Hapoalim chairman indicted
Danny Dankner faces four charges centering on lender's dealings with Turkey's BankPozitif, including aggravated fraud and money laundering
The Economic Department at the State Prosecutor's Office on Sunday filed an indictment with the Tel Aviv District Court against the former chairman of Bank Hapoalim on four charges, including aggravated fraud and money laundering.
Major Institution
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The suspicions against Danny Dankner, who served as the major bank's chairman between 2007 and 2009, center on the lender's dealings with Turkey's BankPozitif.
Hapoalim acquired a controlling stake in the Turkish lender in 2005, and Dankner is suspected of personally benefiting from the deal.
Dankner was forced to step down under unprecedented pressure from the Bank of Israel, in a rare public spat with Hapoalim's owner, billionaire Shari Arison, who lined up behind him.
The central bank did not explain why it wanted Dankner removed.
Dankner's lawyers - Yossi Benkel, Navot Tel-Zur and Ruth Litvak – said that he had expressed confidence he would be acquitted "once this unnecessary procedure comes to an end."
