Bat Yam mayor found guilty of breach of trust
Conviction comes with moral turpitude, blocking Shlomi Lahiani from reentering political life for seven years; will not face jail time.
Bat Yam Mayor Shlomi Lahiani was found guilty Tuesday of breach of trust as part of a plea bargain which will keep the popular mayor out of jail but will see him serve six months community service instead.
The conviction also includes a NIS 250,000 fine and a clause of moral turpitude that will bar Lahiani from political life for the next seven years.
Lahiani expressed veiled disappointment at his sentence, saying "I had expected something different. I wish to thank all those citizens who thanked me and told me they loved me."
State's lawyer Sharon Kahana expressed disappointment that Lahiani will not serve jail time, but praised the judge for the turpitude clause, saying "we though such offenses mandate jail time and not probation... but that court's did good."
Lahiani was indicted in 2013 on four graft related charges, including receiving NIS 900,000 in illicit funds from local businessmen and breach of trust for allegedly requesting some nine municipality employees take out loans for him in their name. He also failed to to disclose some NIS 8 million in additional income.
The fourth charge he faced was conflict of interest for owning stocks in a company which distributed a local paper in the coastal town of Bat Yam.
"Lahiani took vulgar advantage of the power of his position," Tel Aviv Magistrate Judge Sagi wrote. Explaining the decision to deem the offensive as entailing moral turpitude, the judge said it was "the result of eschewed values" involved in the offenses.
"When an incumbent mayor falls short in such a way, the damage is formidable. Those giving him the funds were parties of interest in the municipality. The demand for a loan and then accepting it are of a corrupt nature."
Regarding the charges of conflict of interest, the judge wrote that Lahiani "was looking out for his own interests."
Lahni is also facing six months probation and will do his community work at the Ramat HsSharon Military Intelligence Legacy Center.
Lahiani's brother will also not face jail time, and will serve four months community service.
