State comptroller reveals new probes

A-G and police receive several cases from Comptroller for investigation.

By DAN IZENBERG
lindenstrauss 298 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
lindenstrauss 298
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss on Thursday confirmed reports that he has handed over some of the affairs he has been examining for criminal investigation to Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz and the police, and revealed four new matters currently being investigated. Lindenstrauss's spokeswoman, Shlomit Lavi, said the state comptroller has asked Mazuz to investigate the Israel Aircraft Industry for a matter which she refused to disclose. At the same time, he is also investigating the purchase of 30 percent of the shares of Elisra at a cost of $300 million when Elbit Systems purchased the rest of the shares earlier for $120m. Lindenstrauss, Mazuz and the police are jointly investigating allegations that the former head of the Israel Electric Corporation, Eli Landau, handed out company contracts to personal friends. As a result, it was decided to freeze Landau's appointment as Israel Broadcasting Authority chairman. Lavi also confirmed that Lindenstrauss was investigating the purchase of Ashot Ashkelon from the Israel Military Industries by a company headed by former Labor MK Avraham Burg. The factory was sold for the price of NIS 16.7m. Burg was backed by two investors, Ian Davis and Aviv Algor, who are currently on trial for fiscal violations. The state comptroller has also handed over evidence regarding alleged administrative misconduct in two small towns and an institute for higher learning. Lavi refused to name the towns or provide any other details other than the fact that they were currently under police investigation.