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| Sara Netanyahu has been a high-profile presence at her husband's side throughout his long tenure as Israeli premier (AFP Photo/Thomas COEX) |
Jerusalem (AFP) - The wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached a plea bargain with prosecutors over accusations she used state funds to fraudulently pay for hundreds of meals, media reports said Wednesday.
Sara
Netanyahu had been charged with fraud and breach of trust in June 2018 for
allegedly misusing state funds to pay for catered meals costing $100,000
(85,000 euros) by falsely declaring there were no cooks available at the prime
minister's official residence.
According
to Israeli media reports, she agreed to reimburse the state 45,000 shekels
($12,440, 11,160 euros) and pay another 10,000 shekels ($2,770, 2,480 euros) as
a fine as part of the plea deal.
She will
also admit the relatively light charge of exploiting the mistake of another
person, according to the reports.
The
agreement would have to be approved by the court.
Spokespeople
for the court administration, justice department and Netanyahu family refused
to comment on the reports.
According
to the indictment, between 2010 and 2013, Sara Netanyahu, her family and guests
"fraudulently (received) from the state hundreds of prepared meals"
ordered from a variety of well-known Jerusalem businesses.
Netanyahu,
60 and a high-profile presence at her husband's side throughout his long tenure
in office, denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial.
She has
also faced accusations of mistreating staff, and in 2016 a court awarded some
$47,000 in damages to a former housekeeper who accused the couple of repeated
workplace abuse.
Separately,
Benjamin Netanyahu is facing possible indictment for bribery, fraud and breach
of trust in the months ahead and is reportedly seeking legislation that would
result in him being granted immunity.
He has been
unable to form a governing coalition following April elections and has until a
Wednesday night deadline to do so.
The
deadlocked coalition negotiations may result in snap elections only months
after the previous vote.
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