Donations for children with cancer went to salaries: court orders funds to return 1.85 million shekels
The Haifa District Court ordered seven directors of two charitable funds to return 1.85 million shekels received from a teacher's estate intended to help children with cancer. The funds were transferred to another organization, their purpose was changed without court approval, and they were partially used for salaries and rent.
The Haifa District Court ordered seven directors and board members of two charitable organizations to return approximately 1.85 million shekels received from the estate of teacher Helen Hatab. The money was intended to help children and adolescents with cancer, but was transferred to another organization, its purpose was changed without court approval, and it was partially used for personal benefit. About 180,000 shekels were received as salary by CEO Galit Pauker-Shemesh, and another 112,000 were paid to her for renting a room in her law office. An additional 149,000 shekels were transferred to a company controlled by a relative of the estate executor for aluminum work that was never performed. The court recognized a serious conflict of interest and ordered the funds to be recovered jointly from the seven defendants.