Suspect in Kfar Saba bribery case allegedly transferred cash twice to mayor's wife

Gil Menashe, a suspect in the Kfar Saba municipality bribery affair, allegedly transferred cash twice to Mital Sa'ar, wife of Mayor Rafi Sa'ar. Menashe, previously convicted in the 'Sting' affair, is also suspected of threatening entrepreneurs. The investigation, based on wiretaps, raises suspicion of an ongoing bribery scheme worth millions of shekels that began in 2019.

Gil Menashe, a key suspect in the Kfar Saba municipality bribery case, is suspected of twice transferring cash to Mital Sa'ar, the wife of Mayor Rafi Sa'ar. According to the suspicion, this was a bribe for food businesses Menashe is secretly connected to. Menashe was previously convicted in a major 'Sting' affair alongside Arbel Aloni, one of the murderers of taxi driver Derek Roth. He is also suspected of threatening competing entrepreneurs to clear space for his associates, as part of the bribery mechanism allegedly operated by Mital Sa'ar as well. In his interrogation, Menashe denied the allegations. Mital Sa'ar is exercising her right to silence. The investigation was based on wiretaps over a year and a half; in one recording, a conversation about transferring money is heard, and in another, the mayor and his wife express fear of being caught. Cash bundles were seized at their home, in their vehicles, and at the homes of associates. The scope of the bribery is estimated at millions of shekels, starting from 2019. Many purchases, trips abroad, jewelry, and clothing were financed with cash. Sa'ar drives a Tesla and his wife an Audi; luxury items by Prada, Rolex, and Cartier were found in their home.