Litzman defends plea deal, says he did not know accused sexual abuser

Responding to an outcry over what appears to be a sweetheart plea deal offered to MK Yaakov Litzman, his lawyers respond in a statement that the attorney general and other judicial officials had “accepted” most of his claims in his defense.

“MK Litzman agreed to take responsibility for one incident standing outside his normal course of action,” they say.

As part of the deal, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit agreed to drop a raft of charges related to Litzman allegedly using his political influence to help an accused pedophile avoid justice, as well as keeping a diner owned by a friend open despite health concerns.

The lawyers claim that Litzman’s actions, allegedly pressuring employees in the Health Ministry to alter the conclusions of psychiatric evaluations that had deemed accused sex offender Malka Leifer fit for extradition, were done “in response to a public request he received, without acquaintance with the applicant, and without any personal affiliation or motives.

“For all his years of public service, MK Litzman has acted for the good of the public and communities, and given special attention to requests from the public, with no discrimination and according to the law,” the lawyers say.