Sara Netanyahu seeks to avert probe of suspected violations
Attorney general turns down meeting with attorney for PM's wife, ahead of decision on whether to open investigation
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has rejected an urgent request by Sara Netanyahu’s attorney for a meeting ahead of his decision on whether to open an investigation into the prime minister’s wife over suspected ethical violations at the Prime Minister’s Residence.
According to a Channel 2 report Monday evening, Netanyahu’s attorney, Yaakov Weinroth, is seeking to convince Weinstein to suspend the investigation, which Netanyahu has called an attempt “to defame her husband.”
Rather than meet with Weinroth, Weinstein — who is expected to decide on whether to proceed with the investigation before completing his term at the end of January — suggested that Weinroth send him a letter.
The affair began in March 2014, when the Netanyahus’ former house manager, Menny Naftali, filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his office over what he alleged was abusive conduct, largely on the part of Mrs. Netanyahu, throughout his period of employment.
Former maintenance worker Guy Eliyahu is also suing the Prime Minister’s Office for wrongful dismissal and abusive treatment while working under Netanyahu.
In an October court appearance, Sara Netanyahu said that she was an easy target for people who wanted to “overthrow her husband.”
“Its easier for them to attack me. I have become the punching bag for the entire media,” she said. “If I wasn’t the prime minister’s wife, there would be no cases against me at all.”
Netanyahu, who has previously been accused of abusing staff, rejected the claims she mistreated employees working under her, saying she maintained “excellent relations” with all staff members at the official residence.
In addition to the allegations of improper treatment of workers, Weinstein in July also ordered a criminal investigation into suspected irregular spending at the Prime Minister’s Residence.
The decision to launch the investigation came following the state prosecution’s recommendations, after allegations were raised in a February report by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira that detailed lavish spending by Netanyahu and his wife at their official residence in Jerusalem, as well as at their private home in Caesarea. The report also alleged possible criminal misdeeds by the two.