Ashkelon mayor to stand trial — report

Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni, arrested in January on suspicion of rape, corruption and bribery, will be indicted, Channel 10 reports.

The report quotes the prosecution as saying that the material collected by police “not only amasses suspicions but also evidence that poses a reasonable chance of a conviction.”

Mayor of Ashkelon, Itamar Shimoni, on July 28, 2014. (Flash 90)

According to suspicions, Shimoni and his associates accepted bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels from contractors and building developers in exchange for municipal approvals for various construction projects in the southern coastal city.

Shimoni also allegedly used NIS 500,000 ($127,000) in kickbacks to buy the silence of a former female municipal employee whom he sexually assaulted over a period of time.

At least four women have accused Shimoni of sexual assault, and one has accused him of rape.

— Times of Israel staff contributed