Singer Kobi Peretz handed 2 years in prison for tax evasion

Mizrahi recording artist was convicted of hiding millions of shekels in income and making threats against his agent

By ToI Staff 16 May 2016, 6:34 pm

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Israeli singer Kobi Peretz arrives at the District Court in Tel Aviv on March 17, 2016. (Flash90)

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court on Monday sentenced Mizrahi pop singer Kobi Peretz to two years in prison over tax evasion amounting to NIS 5.8 million ($1.5 million).

Peretz was indicted in 2013 on tax fraud charges for hiding millions of shekels in income between 2005 and 2009, submitting false income information, and making threats against his agent, who turned state’s witness against the singer in 2012.

In addition to his prison sentence, the judge ordered Peretz to pay a NIS 175,000 fine.

Since the Tax Authority launched an investigation into Peretz’s finances in 2010, numerous attempts to reach a plea deal with him were unsuccessful. He was convicted earlier this year.

His prison sentence is due to begin June 13.

“The defendant failed to express remorse for his actions, even after he was convicted,” the judge wrote. “The type of crime and the duration of his actions were taken into consideration by the court.”