Former Bank Hapoalim chairman charged with fraud, money laundering

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Justice Ministry has indicted the former chairman of Bank Hapoalim on charges including aggravated fraud and money laundering.

The suspicions against Danny Dankner, who served as chairman of Bank Hapoalim, one of the country’s largest banks, between 2007 and 2009, center on the lender’s dealings with Turkey’s BankPozitif.

Hapoalim acquired a controlling stake in the Turkish lender in 2005, and Dankner is suspected of personally benefiting from the deal.

Dankner was forced to step down under unprecedented pressure from the Bank of Israel, in a rare public spat with Hapoalim’s owner, billionaire Shari Arison, who lined up behind him. The central bank did not explain why it wanted Dankner removed.

Dankner’s lawyers expressed confidence he will be exonerated.