Netanyahu’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in fraud case

The Israel Police named Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff and long-term adviser Ari Harow Wednesday as the senior aide suspected of a series of offenses while employed by the Prime Minister’s Office.

He was questioned by police under caution on Monday “for a range of offenses” before being released to house arrest for five days. Police also said they have set financial restrictions on Harow during the period.

Harow, who owns a global consultancy firm, is suspected of breach of trust and fraud. He was unavailable for comment on the allegations.

Los Angeles-born Harow was appointed chief of staff of the PMO in 2014, where he served for a year before leaving to run the 2015 election campaign for Netanyahu’s Likud party.

Harow first worked for Netanyahu when he was appointed foreign affairs adviser during the premier’s spell as leader of the opposition. He then spearheaded the 2009 election campaign that catapulted Netanyahu back to office. Following the election, he served as Netanyahu’s bureau chief until 2010, managing the prime minister’s schedule and advising him on a range of issues.

In 2010, between his stints in the PMO, Harow founded 3H Global, an international government relations firm based in Israel. According to the company’s website, the firm was founded “to help governments, NGOs and businesses.”

The website says Harow “utilizes his outstanding professional experience to reach the highest levels of government, community and philanthropy in order to help achieve this goal. His intricate knowledge of the synergy between government, media and other stakeholders helps give clients a competitive edge.”

When Harow was appointed Netanyahu’s chief of staff he gave up control of the company to his brother, Josh Harow, who currently serves as its chief financial officer.

The Prime Minister’s Offices has been dogged by recent controversy over government contracts connected to former employees.

In October it was revealed that Netanyahu’s parliamentary adviser Perach Lerner was being probed on allegations of fraud and breach of trust. She is alleged to have used her position to advance the interests of a public relations firm owned by her husband, Avi, who was also interrogated.

Avi Lerner has owned a public relations firm representing politicians from Netanyahu’s Likud party. The PR firm’s other clients include Israel Hayom, a free Hebrew daily newspaper funded by US billionaire and Netanyahu backer Sheldon Adelson; and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

In light of the allegations, Perach Lerner was suspended from her post for four months.

Raphael Ahren contributed to this report.