The Police Fraud Investigation Unit raided the offices of the Hadera municipality Sunday and arrested 13 employees, including Mayor Haim Avitan ,who is suspected of bribery.
The suspects are expected to face remand hearing later Sunday.
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Over the past several months, police and the Tax Authority conducted a covert investigation of alleged tax offenses perpetrated by Avitan and other senior officials in the city's municipal offices.
On Sunday morning, police conducted extensive searches in City Hall and in the homes and offices of the suspects.
The municipal employees who were arrested were suspected of bribery, fraud ,money laundering and tax evasion.