Knesset official loses job: ordered contracts from wife and daughter for 15,000 shekels

The Civil Service Disciplinary Court dismissed senior Knesset employee Shai Berkovich for ordering services from a company owned by his daughter and wife worth 15,000 shekels without reporting a conflict of interest. He is banned from working in the Knesset for four years and in the civil service for two years. The court rejected a plea deal with the prosecution, deeming it too lenient. Berkovich has filed an appeal.

The Civil Service Disciplinary Court ordered the dismissal of senior Knesset employee Shai Berkovich. He admitted to repeatedly ordering services for the parliament from a technology company owned by his family. Initially, the company belonged to Berkovich's daughter, and later it transferred to his wife. The total value of the orders was 15,000 shekels. The official did not inform his superiors of the company's ownership and did not consult about a potential conflict of interest. In addition to dismissal, the court banned Berkovich from working in the Knesset for four years and in the civil service for two years, and issued him a severe reprimand. Berkovich headed the administrative systems division and was responsible for the Knesset's digital infrastructure. The imposed punishment was significantly harsher than the terms of the plea deal with the prosecution, which did not include dismissal. The court refused to approve the deal, stating that it would have allowed Berkovich to remain in a sensitive position. The court emphasized that public trust cannot be restored while an employee who used state funds continues to work. Berkovich filed an appeal with the Jerusalem District Court and requested a stay of execution of the sentence.