The State Prosecutor announced Tuesday that it will file an indictment against Likud MK David Bitan on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, as well as money laundering and tax offenses.
Bitan, a former Likud coalition whip and a confidant of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is accused of taking some NIS 715,000 ($220,000) in bribes while serving in public office. He allegedly received bribes from friends and acquaintances and gave them preferential treatment in return, according to the indictment.
The charges date back to when Bitan was deputy mayor of Rishon Lezion, before he was elected to the Knesset in 2013, but also include his tenure as an MK.
“In return for the benefits, Bitan acted to advance the interests, within the framework of his public duties, of certain parties, while exploiting his status, connections and influence in local government and government ministries,” the indictment reads.
Read more at Times of Israel.
{Matzav.com}
Since when is a country called “a State”? Is this how they term Canada or England? If “the State” is the 51st American State, why don’t they celebrate July 4 instead of 5 Iyar if it’s a business day?