Police detain mayor of Or Yehuda over sexual offenses

Several colleagues file formal complaints against David Yosef, who is also suspected of misusing public funds

The mayor of Tel Aviv suburb Or Yehuda was arrested after being accused of sexual misconduct by at least five female staffers in the municipality, police said Tuesday.

David Yosef, who has been mayor of the city since 2007, was arrested by the police’s anti-corruption Lahav 433 unit over claims he committed “sex crimes” against his subordinates, according to Hebrew media reports.

He is also accused of misuse of public funds, sexual harassment, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

According to the Walla news website, Yosef would proposition his female subordinates to join him at luxury hotels and various restaurants, where he proceeded to make sexual advances. Those that complied were rewarded in the workplace, the report said, often with financial benefits. The women that spurned his advances were reportedly demoted or dismissed from their positions.

The mayor is also accused of using public funds to cover the costs of his rendezvouses.

Yosef was ordered to stay in detention for six days at an arraignment in Rishon Lezion court on Tuesday, based on a police recommendation which maintained that he posed a danger to the women who worked for him. Police cautioned that Yosef would try to obstruct the case if freed.

After his arrest, police raided his home and office for evidence.

Yosef is married with two children.

He joins a list of other Israeli mayors who have been arrested in recent years on various charges related to abuse of the power of their office, including Yossi Ben David of Yehud and Yisrael Zinger of Ramat Gan in 2014 on graft charges.

Shimon Gapso of Upper Nazareth was accused of accepting a bribe, breach of trust, money laundering, violation of privacy and illegally accessing a computer in 2013. In 2014, Motti Hasson of Holon was also questioned after sexual harassment complaints were filed against him.

Last year, the Knesset passed amendments to the 1998 Law for the Prevention of Sexual Assault, placing the burden of proof on civil servants and people serving in other roles of authority to disprove any allegations made against them by colleagues and subordinates.