Comptroller asked to probe Kfar Saba mayor

Ampng the "long list" of allegations is that Mayor Yehuda Ben Hamo unlawfully accepted donations from building contractors.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
Kfar Saba Deputy Mayor Benny Kabara has asked State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to investigate a "long list" of allegations that Mayor Yehuda Ben Hamo unlawfully accepted donations from building contractors in return for granting them favors such as increased building rights, reports www.local.co.il. Kabara prepared a detailed list of allegations for the comptroller, saying the donations had been made in the clear knowledge that both mayor and builders would gain "mutual benefits" from them. According to the report, Kabara provided a list of instances in which builders and companies donated money to public institutions to the tune of hundreds of thousands of shekels. In return, they gained benefits such as increases in the amount of construction permitted on various projects, the easing of building restrictions, the granting of permits for extraordinary uses of land, and the issuing of business licenses. "We are not speaking about donations made from the good will of the donor, without the intention of gaining any benefit as a result," Kabara said. "Each side had a clear benefit. The builder gave a nice donation and the city and/or the mayor eased things for him … this turns the donation into a prohibited donation and is an act that contains the suspicion of bribery." No response was reported from the mayor or from the comptroller.