From the Liveblog of
Monday, December 7, 2015
Former Nazareth Illit mayor cleared of graft charges
Former Nazareth Illit Mayor Shimon Gapso has been cleared of graft charges in Haifa District Court.
The three judge bench find that while Gapso made inappropriate promises to associates, he did not engage in fraud during local elections in the northern city seven years ago, according to Israel Radio.
Earlier this year Gapso was convicted on a separate bribery charge and ordered to do six months of community service.
Gapso, who has been outspoken in expressing anti-Arab views, is feted by fellow politicians upon news of his victory.
“I am very happy he beat all the charges against him today and [hope] he will quickly return to run for Nazareth Illit mayor,” says Minister Aryeh Deri, who himself served several years in prison on a graft conviction, according to Channel 10 news.
Minister Miri Regev accuses the media and others of going after Gapso with “wild incitement” and a “festival of lies.”
“I am happy for my dear friend Gapso, a beloved public figure and good and trusted mayor,” she says, according to Israel National News. “I was with him in good times and bad. I believed in his innocence and believed the detractors would eat their hats, and here the day has come.”
