Netanyahu’s wife in court over scam
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, appeared in court yesterday for the first hearing in the fraud trial against her, in which she is alleged to have misused state funds in ordering catered meals.
Sara is said to have fraudulently obtained from the state more than
$100,000 for hundreds of meals supplied by restaurants, bypassing regulations that prohibit the practice if a cook is employed at home.
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
She was charged in June with fraud and aggravated fraudulent receipt of goods.
If convicted, Sara could face up to five years in prison.
A settlement at this stage appears remote because the prosecutors would likely demand Netanyahu plead guilty, something her lawyer has ruled out. Netanyahu’s lawyers contend the indictment does not hold up because the regulations for ordering meals were legally invalid and a household employee had requisitioned the food despite Netanyahu’s protestations. The prime minister, himself is embroiled in corruption investigations, has called the allegations against his wife absurd and unfounded.