Jerusalem judge slated to be next State Comptroller

Justice Joseph Shapira will replace Micha Lindenstrauss when his term ends in July, Channel 2 news reports

By Ron Friedman 9 February 2012, 8:51 pm Edit

District Court Judge Joseph Shapira (photo credit: official/courts administration)

The Knesset’s four largest factions have reached a secret agreement to nominate Jerusalem District Court judge Joseph Shapira as the next State Comptroller, Channel 2 news revealed Thursday evening.

The decision comes weeks before the current State Comptroller is expected to release a scathing report on the state’s failures during the 2012 Carmel forest fire that caused the death of 44 people and the destruction of thousands of acres of forest lands in northern Israel.

Shapira, 66, has served on the bench for seven years and is a IDF colonel (res.)

According to Channel 2 news, Likud, Kadima, Israel Beiteinu and Shas have all agreed on the candidate, ensuring his selection by the Knesset.

Lindenstrauss’s term in office has been characterized by controversy, most recently over his likely decision to call for the resignation of the ministers of interior and finance following the Carmel fire and his agreement to investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged financial misconduct following the airing of an investigative report on Channle 10’s “HaMakor.”

Israel’s State Comptroller serves a seven year term, with the principal functions being: examining the legality, regularity, efficiency, economy, and ethical conduct of public institutions.