Netanyahu’s ex-chief of staff convicted of fraud, breach of trust as part of plea deal

Ari Harow, a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned state witness in his trial, has been convicted of fraud and breach of trust as part of the plea deal signed with him.

Harow confessed to the charges against him and will be given six months’ community service and a fine of NIS 700,000 ($190,000).

Harow was accused of pocketing funds from a consulting company that he had been supposed to sell upon becoming Netanyahu’s chief of staff in 2014.

As part of the deal Harow agreed to provide information about so-called cases 1000 and 2000, in which Netanyahu is accused of receiving illicit gifts from billionaire benefactors and negotiating a quid pro quo deal with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes to weaken a rival daily newspaper in return for more favorable coverage.