If Your Wife is Indicted for Fraud, Should You Resign? [View all]

[VermontKevin]

If your wife is indicted for fraud, and you are under investigation, should you resign your position in government to avoid any appearance of impropriety? Should you do it to avoid embroiling your Party in needless controversy?

JERUSALEM — Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to be indicted on fraud-related charges in a case that peers into spending on catered meals and lifestyle in the official residence, a statement by Israel’s attorney general said Friday.

The probe — called the “meal booking affair” — alleges that the prime minister’s wife and the head of the operational resources unit in the official residence falsified documents so that food from outside companies and private chefs could be used, even though there was a full-time chef.

The statement by the attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, said that Netanyahu is suspected of diverting some $102,000 in public funds for this use.

Netanyahu was informed that she would be able to make final arguments in the case before the state attorney issues a possible indictment, which could lead to a trial. No date has been set for such a hearing, however.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israels-meal-scandal-moves-closer-toward-indictment-of-netanyahus-wife/2017/09/08/ac4ad920-9487-11e7-8754-d478688d23b4_story.html?utm_term=.aaf01b252dfb

Mr Netanyahu himself is currently under investigation in four different cases related to bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

It is alleged that he received lavish and “inappropriate” gifts from wealthy supporters, such as cigars and champagne, and offered commercial favours to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper owner Arnon Mozes in return for positive coverage.

He has also been asked to testify in the corruption case against his personal lawyer, David Shimron, over defence contract deals with German shipmaker ThyssenKrupp to buy submarines for the Israeli navy, and has been accused of failing to disclose his ties to key actors in a merger deal involving state telecommunications company Bezeq.

Mr Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, Ari Harow, agreed to testify against his former employer last month, despite the fact he is a long time friend and loyal supporter of both Mr Netanyahu and his Likud party.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sara-netanyahu-graft-charges-benjamin-wife-israel-prime-minister-corruption-a7935706.html