Netanyahu’s wife charged with US$100,000 meal fraud
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara was charged with fraud and breach of trust after a lengthy police probe into allegations she falsely claimed meals worth US$100,000, the justice ministry said.
The move represents the latest legal headache for leader Netanyahu and his family, as the authorities investigate the combative premier over allegations of corruption in a string of eyecatching cases.
The justice ministry announced that “the Jerusalem district prosecutor a short time ago filed charges against the prime minister’s wife”.
The ministry said Sara Netanyahu was accused of falsely declaring there were no cooks available at the prime minister’s official residence and ordering “hundreds of meals from outside caterers at public expense”.
From 2010 to 2013 Netanyahu, her family and guests received “fraudulently from the state hundreds of prepared meals (each including a number of courses) to the value of 359,000 shekels (US$99,700)”, the indictment read.
Netanyahu, a high-profile presence at her husband’s side throughout his lengthy time at the helm, has denied any wrongdoing.
According to the charge sheet, the meals were ordered from a variety of well-known Jerusalem establishments, including an Italian restaurant, a Middle Eastern grill joint and a sushi establishment.
The trial is set to be held at the Jerusalem magistrates court, with the prosecution requesting it to be held before a panel of three judges due to the ‘public sensitivity’ of the case. — AFP