The Israel Police recommended Thursday that Ari Harow, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff, be indicted on a series of corruption charges, including bribery, fraud, money laundering, breach of trust, and fraudulently receiving goods and services under aggravated circumstances. The police are also recommending that the lawyer who handled Harow's case, Harel Arnon, be tried for alleged money laundering and fraudulently receiving goods and services under aggravated circumstances. According to a police statement, when Harow became Netanyahu's chief of staff, he signed an agreement to regulate conflicting interests in which he agreed to sell a company he owned and cease all dealings with it. The police investigation revealed that the sale of the company was fictitious and that Harow remained its owner, enjoying the profits and promoting the company's interests under the auspices of his public office. Last July 14, Harow landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport from a trip to Spain and was detained for questioning by officers from the Lahav 433 Major Crimes Unit. The investigation into his affairs became public then. Harow was born in the U.S. and is the former head of American Friends of Likud. In 2009, Netanyahu appointed him chief of staff, but Harow resigned after a year due to health reasons. In 2014, Harow returned to the Prime Minister's office, where he replaced Gil Sheffer as chief of staff, but remained in the position for less than a year. He resigned to take a job with Likud's election headquarters. Both Harow and Arnon were questioned under caution as part of the investigation. Dozens of other people allegedly involved were also questioned. The police also conducted searches that led to the confiscation of documents and other materials, as well as millions of shekels' worth of property and receipts. Attorney Yaron Kostelitz, who represents Arnon, said he was sure the State Attorney's Office would conclude that there was nothing to the charges and would decide not to try him. Kostelitz said the Supreme Court had already ruled that a police recommendation for further action had no legal standing.
Police recommend indicting PM's former chief of staff
Ari Harow is suspected of multiple counts of corruption, including bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering • Police also recommend indicting lawyer who handled Harow's case • Defense attorney: Police recommendation has no legal standing.
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