Close Netanyahu ally, Likud lawmaker indicted for corruption
ABC News
A close political ally of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been indicted on a raft of corruption offenses allegedly committed while serving as a Likud party lawmaker in parliament
JERUSALEM -- A close political ally of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted Tuesday on a raft of corruption offenses allegedly committed while serving as a Likud party lawmaker in parliament. The attorney general approved the indictment of David Bitan, formerly coalition chair in Netanyahu's government, charging him with accepting bribes, breach of trust and tax offenses in seven different cases. They were allegedly committed while he served as a councilman in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion and a member of the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Bitan allegedly accepted over $200,000 in bribes while serving in public office. Other people charged in the cases include a Tel Aviv deputy mayor and former Israeli soccer player Haim Revivo. As a sitting member of the Knesset, Bitan can request immunity from prosecution from parliament. Bitan’s attorneys said in a statement that the court would find he committed no wrongdoing.More Related News