Additional MK, top Land Authority official implicated in corruption scandal
Police suspect that politicians from parties other than Yisrael Beytenu may be involved, as police commissioner says investigation deepening.
A top official from Israel's Land Authority and a former MK were also taken in for questioning Thursday and released to five days house arrest as the corruption scandal surrounding Yisrael Beytenu continues to widen, and the police investigate a suspicion that MKs from other parties are also involved.
The National Fraud Investigations Unit has decided to expand the investigation after witnesses provided investigators with names of MKs from other parties who allegedly committed the same crimes of which Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirschenbaum is suspected. They will be investigated if the information proves to be reliable.
The investigation regarding the Land Authority official and former MK center around a real-estate company for which the MK was a senior board member. According to suspicions, the official used his position in the authority to sell the company lands for a major profit.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the mayor of Afula, his deputy, and an advisor to Minister Yuval Steinitz (Likud) were released to house arrest after being arrested earlier in the week.
Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino discussed the scandal in a speech at a convention for the Institute of Internal Auditors. “This is an investigation that is continuously deepening, and we will not rest until we complete our work. We will not be silent until we reach all those suspected of corruption, whoever they are. This is our duty as emissaries of the public.”
Danino emphasized that the police is battling “corruption among public workers in every way” despite the criticism it receives. “We are the gatekeepers of Israel and you expect us to do this work with determination and fearlessness,” he said. “Just as we did in the last investigation, which we called 242.”
Three days after being arrested, Afula Mayor Yitzhak Miron, his deputy Boris Yudis, Rami Taib, advisor to Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz, and Yisrael Beytenu Chief of Staff David Godofsky, were released Wednesday. They were sent to five days of house arrest. The four were arrested on Sunday after suspicions arose that they were involved in the alleged corruption.
According to the suspicions, the mayor appointed Yudis, a member of Yisrael Beytenu, as his deputy in exchange for the transfer of NIS 4 million from Yisrael Beytenu coalition funds to the city of Afula.
Investigators suspect the appointment was made after a request by Godofsky and with the consent of Deputy Minister Kirschenbaum. According to the suspicion, Taim, who serves as Chairman of Likud’s Afula branch, negotiated the arrangement.
The four deny the claims, while MK Kirschenbaum invoked her right to silence in her recent interrogation.
