Israel's Netanyahu Faces Criminal Fraud, Bribery Investigation

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly facing a criminal investigation over alleged bribery and fraud, Israeli media said Tuesday.

RELATED:
Tantruming Netanyahu Summons U.S. Ambassador Over UN Vote

According to a report aired by a local newscaster, police have recently gained access to a new document in a secret case which was opened some nine months ago and now believe they have cause to open a full investigation.

The conservative leader could have received bribes in form of donations while also allegedly being involved in aggravated fraud, and authorities have called on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to conduct a probe into Netanyahu’s affairs.

According to Haaretz, the premier’s office has already dismissed all the allegations, calling them “nonsense.”

“Since Netanyahu’s victory in the last elections and even before, hostile elements have used heroic efforts to attempt to bring about his downfall, with false accusations against him and his family,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said.

RELATED:
Israel Tantrum Continues, Slashes UN Funds After UN Vote

“This is absolutely false. There was nothing and there will be nothing,” he added.

Among the allegations are that Netanyahu accepted large sums of money from convicted French tycoon Arnaud Mimran.

Mimran has said he donated US$200,000 to Netanyahu’s 2009 election campaign. The prime minister says the only money he ever received from the French businessman was a US$40,000 donation in 2001.

Netanyahu has been previously accused of using state money for personal affairs and his family has long faced scrutiny over their luxurious lifestyle.