Netanya mayor arrested in corruption scandal

Netanya’s mayor, Miriam Feirberg, was questioned on Wednesday by the national anti-fraud unit on suspicion of accepting bribes in exchange for advancing building projects, part of a rapidly broadening and unraveling corruption scandal.

Miriam Feirberg, the mayor of the coastal city of Netanya, was arrested after being questioned by Israel’s national anti-fraud unit.

Feirberg’s relative and another three suspects were arrested earlier in the day in connection with the scandal. They include a senior Netanya municipal official and two contractors.

Feirberg’s son Tzafrir and three other suspects were arrested earlier on in the week. They were remanded for another three days.

Police and tax authority officials on Wednesday searched the homes of several of the suspects. Bank accounts and property connected to the suspects were frozen.

Earlier this week, police raided the offices of the Netanya town hall and confiscated documents and other related materials.

The core of the case revolves around possible real estate deals in the city, worth millions, which the mayor and her son helped promote together with developers from the Tshuva family. The bribes taken are estimated to be in the millions of Shekels.

The police stated that the investigation was complex and that the allegations were severe.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News