Ex-coalition whip faces 4th round of questioning in graft probe

Likud MK David Bitan was questioned by police for the fourth time Sunday in an ongoing corruption probe on suspicion of bribery, fraud, money laundering, and breach of trust.

The questioning lasted for five hours. Bitan’s wife, Hagit, was also slated to face investigators later in the day for her second round of questioning.

The lawmaker gave up his powerful parliamentary role as coalition chairman — but retained his Knesset seat — last Wednesday as he grapples with the wide-ranging police investigation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Likud MK David Amsalem as his replacement.

Investigators were expected to ask Bitan to hand over a list of those invited to attend his daughter’s wedding four months ago, which included the prime minister, other ministers and many MKs, Hadashot news reported.

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

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.

At least two suspects in the case are reportedly in negotiations to become state witnesses in the case.

Moshe 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.