Suing. A.
Photo: Noam Moskowitz
Moshe Katsav
Photo: Ofer Amram
Complainant to sue Katsav for millions
Ex-employee at President's Residence, whose case was not included in former president's indictment, to file damages claim for loss of ability to work and deep emotional grief
A day before the anticipated verdict in Moshe Katsav's rape trial, the former president is under heat again – A., a former employee at the President's Residence whose complaint was withdrawn from the indictment, will file a claim for punitive damages amounting to several million shekels next week.
The civil suit was drafted following consultation with experts and states that A. was inflicted with mental damages, the loss of ability to work and earn wages, as well as deep emotional grief.
Divine Punishment?
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A. is scheduled to appear in court to give her testimony.
The prosecution said it will summon Katsav and several employees from the President's Residence to the witness stand.
'Justice must be served'
A. is asking for several million shekels as compensation for extensive damage she claims was inflicted on her.
"Justice must be served," she was heard telling her relatives.
Though the state prosecution has requested a long prison sentence to be handed to Katsav due to the "disgrace he has cast on the office of presidency," they also said they would take under consideration the "foul media campaign conducted against him."
In addition to an extensive prison sentence, the prosecution motioned that Katsav be accused of moral turpitude and forced to pay compensation to the complainants.
The former president's attorneys stressed that their client suffered from delay of judgment, "which is manifested by his media trial ahead of the actual trial, and the unanimous public opinion that was formed against him."
The defense attorneys often mentioned the public demonization of their client, claiming"the waves of hatred and contempt were unprecedented in the entire legal history of Israel."
Following Katsav's conviction A. told reporters: "I first met Moshe Katsav seven years ago, and I hope that today the worst seven years of my life are over."
The affair was exposed in July 2006 after Katsav complained to then General Attorney Manny Mazuz that he was being threatened and blackmailed by an employee at the President's Residence.
A police investigation revealed his complex relationships with other employees and opened a Pandora's box, which eventually led to his conviction.
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