Netanyahu’s wife charged with fraud: Justice ministry

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara was charged yesterday with fraud and breach of trust after a long police probe into allegations she falsified household expenses, the justice ministry said, reports AFP.

“The Jerusalem district prosecutor a short time ago filed charges against the prime minister’s wife,” the ministry said.

The allegations announced last year are that she and an aide falsely declared there were no cooks available at the prime minister’s official residence and ordered from outside caterers at public expense.

The cost amounted to “over 350,000 shekels ($97,000))”, the justice ministry said.

She has denied any wrongdoing. Her husband is himself under investigation on suspicion of corruption offences.

In one case, he and family members are suspected of receiving one million shekels ($285,000, 240,000 euros) worth of luxury cigars, champagne and jewellery from wealthy personalities in exchange for financial or personal favours.

In the other case, investigators suspect the premier of trying to reach an agreement with the owner of Yediot Aharonot, a top Israeli newspaper, for more favourable coverage.

Netanyahus wife charged with fraud: Justice ministry

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wife Sara was charged yesterday with fraud and breach of trust after a long police probe into allegations she falsified household expenses, the justice ministry said, reports AFP. The Jerusalem district prosecutor a short time ago filed charges against the prime ministers wife, the ministry said. The allegations announced last year are that she and an aide falsely declared there were no cooks available at the prime ministers official residence and ordered from outside caterers at public expense. The cost amounted to over 350,000 shekels ($97,000)), the justice ministry said. She has denied any wrongdoing. Her husband is himself under investigation on suspicion of corruption offences. In one case, he and family members are suspected of receiving one million shekels ($285,000, 240,000 euros) worth of luxury cigars, champagne and jewellery from wealthy personalities in exchange for financial or personal favours. In the other case, investigators suspect the premier of trying to reach an agreement with the owner of Yediot Aharonot, a top Israeli newspaper, for more favourable coverage.