Afula Mayor Yitzhak Maron and Deputy Mayor Boris Yudis were detained Monday as part of the ongoing corruption investigation against Yisrael Beytenu officials. Rami Tayeb, chief of staff to International Relations, Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, was also detained as a person of interest in the case. The Lahav 433 Major Crimes Unit recently released information alleging corruption by key figures in Yisrael Beytenu, including Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum and former Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov. Kirshenbaum announced Monday she would be retiring from politics over the scandal. Over 30 people have been detained and dozens of others have been questioned in the case. Suspicions against Yisrael Beytenu officials include bribery, fraud, receiving illicit benefits, bid rigging, falsifying corporate documents, and theft by a public servant. Investigators raided Maron's and Yudis' homes and offices on Monday, seizing computers and various documents. Kirshenbaum's top aide David Godovsky, who was previously detained in the case, and Tayeb are suspected of facilitating the transfer of 4 million shekels ($1 million) to the northern city's coffers, in exchange for Maron appointing Yisrael Beytenu members to top positions in the municipality, most notably Yudis, who was named deputy mayor. Maron, Yudis and Tayeb have all denied any wrongdoing. "None of this ever happened; Yisrael Beytenu never gave us any money," Maron said Monday. A statement by the Afula Municipality confirmed that the mayor's office was searched, saying, "As part of an ongoing investigation, the police arrived at City Hall this morning [Monday]. City employees are cooperating with investigators in full."
Afula mayor implicated in Yisrael Beytenu scandal
Afula Mayor Yitzhak Maron and Deputy Mayor Boris Yudis are detained as police investigation of alleged corruption involving Yisrael Beytenu officials widens • "None of this ever happened; Yisrael Beytenu never gave us any money," Maron says.
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