Police wrap up investigation of alleged child-beating judge

The police on Thursday concluded their investigation of a judge suspected of abusing his children, and reportedly found evidence pointing to assault on a minor.

The investigation was headed by Major General Yoav Segalovitch, the head of police investigations, and the case has now been transferred to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and State Prosecutor Moshe Lador, who are expected to recommend pressing charges against the judge.

In late February Weinstein ordered the investigation, following calls from police and legal officials who asserted that there was sufficient evidence to serve an indictment against the judge and take the children out of his custody.

Welfare services, three years ago, lodged a complaint against the judge, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of his children. In 2011 the police sought permission to question him, but Weinstein originally did not approve the investigation.

“After weighing all the factors of the case, including those that relate to complex and sensitive family matters, the attorney general decided to order the launch of an investigation,” read the Justice Ministry statement in February.

“As for the delays in handling the case, we regret that the attorney general’s inquiries and a clerical error caused the treatment to be more prolonged than necessary.” That said, the attorney general believed it was prudent to make all the necessary inquiries before reaching a decision in such a sensitive case.