Court rejects Hirchson's appeal on theft conviction

Former finance minister convicted of pocketing NIS 1.7 million when he was leader of National Workers' Union, began 65-month jail term in 2009.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: APRIL 2, 2018 14:38
hirchson top- use for conviction 298.175 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
hirchson top- use for conviction 298.175
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal filed by former finance minister Avraham Hirchson against his theft conviction, forcing him to finish his 65-month prison term.
The Tel Aviv District Court convicted Hirchson of theft after he received monthly payments of amounting to NIS 1.7 million, and stole money to finance his personal medical prescriptions and trips abroad.
Hirchson was charged with pocketing the funds during his time as head of the National Workers' Union.
The former finance minister was sentenced to a five-year and five-month prison term which he began serving in September 2009, and then appealed his conviction and jail term to the Supreme Court.
In his appeal, Hirchson claimed that the Tel Aviv District Court judges did not sufficiently take into consideration the fact that he returned the stolen money.
The former minister also maintained that there were contradictions in the judges' decision, a fact that should nullify their entire ruling.
Dan Izenberg contributed to this report.