Police investigators will recommend bribery and breach of trust charges against a former chief of staff and aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a police statement.
California-born Ari Harow has been under investigation since mid-2015 on suspicion of using his ties to Netanyahu to advance his private business interests.
According to a Thursday police statement, Harow signed a conflict of interest agreement before being appointed chief of staff under Netanyahu in 2014. In the agreement, which is required of all high-level public service appointees, he agreed to sell his political consulting company 3H in order to avoid conflicts of interest in his new position.
Ari Harow, former chief of staff of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a Likud meeting in the Israeli parliament, November 24, 2014. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
But investigators said Thursday that Harow’s sale of the company was allegedly fictitious, as he continued de facto management of the company and advanced its interests while serving at the prime minister’s side.
The police recommendation lists four charges: bribery, breach of trust, fraud and money laundering.
Harow was unavailable to comment on the allegations.
Asked if Harow had provided any services or information to 3H during his time in the PMO, a spokesperson for the company declined to comment.
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