An Israeli accounts manager in the Israeli embassy in Amman was arrested last week for the alleged theft and netting of what investigators believe to be nearly 1 million dollars over the course of three years. Benjamin Bushari, 47, was taken into custody by YAHBAL, Israel's International Crime Unit. The investigation began when Jordanian officials filed an embezzlement complaint to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The complaint was then forwarded to the police. YAHBAL began a covert investigation which revealed that from 2008-2011, Bushari, who does not have diplomatic status, regularly falsified receipts for supply orders. He allegedly ordered unnecessary products for the embassy and then re-sold them for profit in Israel. Bushari was extradited to Israel as a result of the charges against him. Investigators who arrested him on July 6 reported finding large stashes of cash in his home. A female Jordanian employee was also arrested in relation to the case. Her arrest was recently extended by 14 days. A local district court released Bushari to a one-month house arrest on Monday. According to his defense attorney, Bushari took and passed a polygraph test, but the police have said that the polygraph did not pertain to his alleged theft. Bushari claims his innocence and blames the accusations on personal clashes with his superiors. "We are handling this serious matter with utmost sensitivity. The case has been sent to police investigation and therefore we are prohibited from providing details," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yigal Palmor said.
A less than diplomatic theft
Employee for the Israeli embassy in Jordan allegedly inflated receipts and stole up to 1 million dollars • Thousands of dollars in cash found in suspect's home • Foreign Ministry dealing with the theft 'very seriously.'
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