The National Fraud Investigations Unit on Sunday arrested Elad Mayor Yitzhak
Idan on suspicion of bribery, fraud and money laundering charges, following an
undercover operation against the municipality that lasted for several
months.
The fraud unit said its officers, along with officials from the
Tax Authority, carried out searches at the Elad City Hall and the homes and
offices of Idan, who is also a rabbi, and four other suspects they believe were
involved in a series of fraud, bribery and money laundering offenses.
The
mayor is also suspected of violating building code regulations.
Idan’s
arrest came only four days after Yahud Mayor Yossi Ben-David was arrested on
suspicion of taking bribes, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.
Ben-David is suspected of accepting money from a real estate developer in
exchange for approving building projects he was working on.
Ben-David and
Idan join a number of mayors arrested in recent months by police on bribery,
fraud and breach of trust charges, including Bat Yam Mayor Shlomi Lahiani, Ramat
Hasharon Mayor Yitzhak Rochberger and Upper Nazareth Mayor Shimon Gapso among
others.
On Sunday, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extended Idan’s
remand by two days. Police had requested four, but the presiding judge approved
a two-day remand, saying that there is reason to believe that Idan would try to
intervene with the investigation if released from custody now.
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