Israeli AG to indict welfare minister Haim Katz for fraud, breach of trust
Katz is accused of using his position to advance favorabale decisions benefiting financial companies
Israel’s Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz will be indicted on charges of fraud and breach of trust, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced Wednesday.
The minister from the governing coalition's right-wing Likud party is accused of using his office to advance his own financial interests as well as those of his friend and businessman Mordechai Ben Ari--who will also face charges.
Mandeliblit is reportedly expected to instruct Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire Katz should the minister not resign from his cabinet position on his own volition.
In documents released by the Justice Ministry on Wednesday, the attorney general outlined plans to indict the sitting minister and focuses on allegations that Katz advanced an amendment to the Israeli Securities Law at the request of Ben Ari.
Ben Ari-- who owns a business representing groups of bond holders-- reportedly requested Katz advance the legislation requiring companies to repay bond debt to bond holders before repaying controlling owners.
Katz will not face indictment for the more serious charge under investigation alleging he took bribes from Ben Ari while serving as a chairman of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) committee for Labor and Welfare from 2005-2006 and from 2009-2013.