Cops reportedly probing if MK Bitan pushed bill in exchange for bribe

Police are investigating whether Likud MK David Bitan was bribed to advance Knesset legislation that would benefit a businessman, according to a Sunday report.

Bitan is currently being investigated over suspicions that he may have taken money in exchange for political favors when on the city council of Tel Aviv suburb Rishon Lezion. According to Channel 10 news, police suspect the bribery scheme may have continued after he entered the Knesset in 2015.

Investigators suspect that Bitan, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who recently resigned his post as coalition whip over the probe, pushed for an amendment to the Planning and Building Law two months ago that would have benefited Dror Glazer, a real estate developer, Channel 10 news reported.

According to the report, Glazer, who has been questioned by police, and may make a deal with cops to turn state witness, is suspected of having transferred NIS 150,000 ($43,000) to Moshe Yosef, a close associate of Bitan, in exchange for the former coalition chairman attempting to advance the legislation.

Bitan was questioned by police Sunday for five hours, but refused to answer almost anything during the interrogation with investigators.

Police presented the lawmaker with a long list of over 100 WhatsApp exchanges between him and Glazer, including messages related to the potential law change, Hadashot news reported, but Bitan chose to remain silent.

Bitan’s wife, Hagit, was also questioned by investigators later in the day for her second round of questioning. She was asked about the guest list for her daughter’s wedding, she refused to give it to police, saying her husband had the list.

David Bitan still has parliamentary immunity, and despite refusing to answer any other questions, agreed to hand over the invitation list, along with a list of gifts each guest gave, but only if police get a gag order against publishing the information, Hadashot news reported.

Guests at the wedding four months ago included the prime minister, other ministers and many MKs, Hadashot news reported.

The guest list was sought amid suspicions that the gifted cash, amounting to NIS 260,000 ($74,000), was a front to pay bribes or launder money, the report said.

Hadashot reported that while Bitan was being questioned, his wife arrived at the police headquarters and “by chance” bumped into Yosef in the corridor, though it was not reported whether they spoke.

Last Wednesday, Bitan’s lawyer, Effi Dimri, told Hadashot that his client “will answer all questions he is asked by investigators.”

However, on Sunday, he said that his client was forced to remain silent in the face of the amount of publicity about his case and his trial in the media.

However, Dimri stated that, “MK David Bitan is not concerned about any state witness.”

Bitan is expected to be questioned again on Tuesday.

Bitan is suspected of having accepted bribes from organized crime figures in Rishon Lezion after he became deputy mayor of the city in 2005, of allegedly rigging a municipal construction tender in favor of the son of an acquaintance in exchange for money, and other alleged offenses.

The investigation, dubbed by police “Case 1803,” has seen the arrests of dozens of suspects, including Rishon Lezion city officials, local businessmen, and organized crime figures.

Yosef, a Rishon Lezion businessman and close associate of Bitan, is suspected of handling bribes on behalf of the Likud lawmaker. His son has also been questioned in the investigation.

According to a Hadashot TV news report earlier this month, prosecutors are willing to accept a three-year prison sentence for Yosef in exchange for him turning state’s witness and cooperating in the investigation.

Police have examined files at Yosef’s furniture store, which is believed to have been used as a front for money laundering.

When the investigation into Bitan began, officers set up hidden cameras and recording devices in the store, and, based on the evidence they collected, built up a very strong case against him.

Police footage from the hidden cameras reportedly showed Bitan counting large sums of money, and appearing to use the store as a bank to withdraw cash. Officers are also said to have secretly filmed Bitan’s wife leaving Yosef’s store while carrying an envelope investigators believe was stuffed with cash.