Suspicion of bribery offenses: developments in the case against deputy mayor of Kiryat Bialik and his family
The Tax and Economics Prosecutor's Office informed the attorneys of Yossi Azriel, deputy mayor of Kiryat Bialik, his sons, and others that they are considering indicting them, subject to a hearing, on suspicion of bribery, breach of trust, and money laundering. The affair began with a covert investigation by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (Yahba) and erupted in March 2022. The suspicions relate to the years 2018-2022, during which Azriel allegedly exploited his public positions to assist contractors in exchange for benefits, including through the company "Ritav".
The Tax and Economics Prosecutor's Office announced yesterday (Monday) to the attorneys of Yossi Azriel, deputy and acting mayor of Kiryat Bialik, his sons Tom and Ben Azriel, real estate companies, and other officials, that they are considering indicting them, subject to a hearing, on suspicion of bribery, breach of trust, and money laundering, each according to their part. The announcement is a continuation of an affair that began with a covert investigation by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (Yahba) in Lahav 433, in cooperation with the Tax Authority and the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority, and erupted in March 2022 with the arrest of Azriel, his sons, and other businessmen. According to the suspicion, between 2018 and 2022, while Azriel held public positions, including chairman of the local planning and building committee, he exploited his status to assist contractors and interested parties in exchange for benefits for himself and his family. From 2019, he worked with his sons to promote private interests through the company "Ritav", which served as a platform for receiving benefits. As part of the affair, additional suspicions of fraud, money laundering, and tax offenses were examined. The background includes sharp criticism by the State Comptroller of the committee's conduct. Now, the suspects are expected to present their arguments at a hearing, before a final decision on filing indictments.