16 nabbed, among them senior public servants, for alleged corruption

Police arrested or detained in two separate cases a total of 16 officials Monday, including one who is reportedly close to Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon.

Seven were arrested when police and tax officials raided Hevel Modiin Regional Council offices including a senior elected official in the council.

Seven others were taken to the headquarters of the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit in Lod for questioning as part of the same investigation.

At the same time, police raided the homes and offices of the suspects. The suspects were set to be brought to Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon for a remand hearing.

Separately, police arrested two suspects in another corruption case for questioning under caution at Lahav 433 headquarters. One of the two is a former senior official in a different local authority council. The two will be brought for a remand hearing in Beersheba Magistrate’s Court later Tuesday.

The arrests followed a lengthy investigation into alleged bribery, fraud, threats, breach of trust and tax offenses.

Police said the suspects allegedly received financial benefits in exchange for advancing the interests of others in violation of the law.

One of those arrested was also suspected of exploiting his position of authority to commit sexual offenses involving several women over a long period of time.

Police said the investigations were carried out in full cooperation with the Tax Authority and with the assistance of the Central District Attorney’s Office.