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Israel's AG orders probe into misconduct at Netanyahu's residences

Xinhua, July 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israel's Attorney General ordered the launching of a criminal investigation Monday into suspected "misconduct" at the residences of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the justice ministry.

The statement said that the decision to launch a criminal investigation was taken following "recommendations from the State Prosecutor, the head of police investigations, along with the intelligence department, regarding several allegations concerning misconduct at the Prime Minister's residences."

The statement did not elaborate further on the allegations. However, a report released in February by the State Comptroller, Israel's government watchdog, revealed financial improprieties and excessive spending of public funds at play in both residences used by Netanyahu between 2009 and 2013.

According to the report, there was excessive spending on food, cleaning supplies and makeup, among other items, registered to the two homes of the prime minister, his official residence in Jerusalem as well as his private home in the northern town of Caesarea.

A senior police official informed Channel 2 TV news that the investigation is currently focusing on a deputy general director at the Prime Minister's Office, Ezra Saidoff, as police suspect he was involved in part of the misconducts.

The official added that the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, may also be investigated, but that decision will only be taken following Saidoff's investigation.

Netanyahu himself will not be investigated, as police believe he wasn't involved in the daily management of his residences, in addition to the fact that he cannot be investigated unless the Knesset (parliament) decides to lift his parliamentary immunity. Endit