Dec. 3 (UPI) — Israeli police on Sunday recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, face charges for bribery, fraud and breach of public trust as part of the so-called Case 4000.
He’s accused of offering favors to billionaire benefactors and an illicit deal with a newspaper — Walla — to receive favorable media coverage. Netanyahu has denied all allegations.
In February, police also recommended bribery and breach of public trust charges in Cases 1000 and 2000. Netanyahu has not been formally charged in any of the cases.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said he would make a final decision on an indictment.
“The police recommendations have no legal standing,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “But they are not surprising.
“I am sure that, even in this case, the relevant authorities, after examining the matter, will reach the same conclusion: that there will be nothing because there was nothing.”
Police said Netanyahu attempted to make sure Walla, owned by telecommunications company Bezeq, published flattering stories and photos of him and removed critical content. The prime minister also allegedly sought to influence the hiring of editors and reporters at the publication.
Police said they seized $32 million as part of the investigation.
