Judge in texting scandal suspended pending disciplinary ruling
Supreme Court chief rejects offer to extend leave of absence for Ronit Poznansky-Katz, who discussed remands with prosecutor
A judge who held ethically “inappropriate” communications with a state prosecutor in the Bezeq corruption probe, which involves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been suspended until a decision is reached by a special disciplinary court on the matter.
Supreme Court President Esther Hayut met briefly on Thursday in her Jerusalem office with Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court Judge Ronit Poznansky-Katz, who took a leave of absence after it emerged that she had discussed remand rulings for suspects with Israel Securities Authority attorney Eran Shacham-Shavit.
Poznansky-Katz suggested to Hayut that she extend her leave of absence, which was due to expire in April, Hebrew-language media reported, but Hayut rejected the proposal and decided to suspend her until the court ruling.
Earlier this month, the court announced an inquiry into the incident, headed by former Supreme Court president Asher Grunis along with Supreme Court Justice Neal Hendel and the head of the Nazareth District Court.
After Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked filed a complaint with the Supreme Court against the judge, Hayut set up the special disciplinary tribunal, which met for the first time on Wednesday to hear the complaint.
In announcing the committee of inquiry, Hayut said that a preliminary investigation had revealed “a series of personal and systemic failures.”
Judge Eliezer Rivlin, the ombudsman handling complaints against judges, ruled there would be no criminal proceedings against Poznansky-Katz, but recommended that she face a disciplinary hearing over the “highly inappropriate” exchange.
He found that the relationship between the two continued for several months and soon produced inappropriate interactions. “During the months of June, July, December 2017, January and February 2018, Shacham-Shavit addressed the judge directly several times regarding the cases he was dealing with,” Rivlin wrote.
Obtained by Channel 10 last month, the text messages between Poznansky-Katz and Shacham-Shavit sparked accusations that state officials were obstructing justice and that the suspects would not receive a fair trial.
In the exchange, Shacham-Shavit told Poznansky-Katz that the Securities Authority intended to ask that some of the suspects in the probe be released, while others be remanded further.
“Try and act surprised,” he wrote.
“I’m practicing my surprised face,” she responded.
A full transcript of the messages released several days later appeared to be less damning than the initial report, showing that Poznansky-Katz and Shacham-Shavit were mainly discussing case logistics.
The Bezeq corruption investigation, dubbed Case 4000, involves suspicions that Bezeq owner Shaul Elovitch ordered the Walla news site, which he also owns, to grant fawning coverage to Netanyahu family exchange for the prime minister, who was also communications minister at the time, advancing regulations benefiting him.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, have been questioned several times in the case. The next round of questioning is expected to take place next Monday, the first interrogation session since Nir Hefetz, a former top media adviser to the Netanyahus, turned state’s witness in the high-profile corruption investigation, legal sources familiar with the case told The Times of Israel.
Police believe the evidence they have, including testimonies, physical evidence, and audio recordings, directly ties the Netanyahus to the alleged quid pro quo scheme, according to Hadashot news.
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing in the case.
Raoul Wootliff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.