'Severe irregularities'?
Photo: Neri Brenner
Israel Railways – the company that runs Israel's train services – has been paying for cleaning services for years, without said services being provided, Ynet learned Wednesday. According to the company's internal affairs probe, with the help of an investigation agency, poorly maintained train cars are the result of years of corruptive
conduct.
The investigation found that employees who were supervising the custodial services were issuing confirmation slips for cleaning services that were not provided.
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An official with Israel Railways' management commented on the findings, saying: "As the findings indicate, the work of the cleaning services' employees was unfortunately contaminated with severe irregularities, mounting to breach of trust, abuse of position and even breaking the law."
As a result of the disorderly conduct, the official added, "The company has paid extra funds per year, amounting to millions of shekels, for work that was allegedly not even done."
Moreover, he stressed, when cleaning services were in fact provided, "the cleaning was done poorly, while hindering the level of service to the customers and the company's reputation."
Following the review, the train services CEO, Boaz Tzafrir, ordered to open a disciplinary hearing process against all employees involved in the case. According to the results of the hearing, the Railways board is to decide whether to take the matter to the police.
Once the findings were released, Israel Railways management turned to the State Comptroller, the Finance Ministry and the Transport Ministry.
Hillel Posek contributed to this report
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