Criminal investigation launched into Netanyahu’s household costs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s household is back in the headlines, but this time it has less to do with the prime minister and his wife Sara and more with the staff who ran the couple’s residences.

According to a statement from the Israeli justice ministry, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Monday ordered a criminal investigation into “a number of matters concerning the running of the prime minister’s residences".

“We cannot elaborate on what investigative actions have been taken or will be taken… [or] who will be invited for questioning,” the statement said.

In February, Israel’s state auditor, the State Comptroller, revealed that some of the taxpayer-funded running costs at Netanyahu’s official and private residences from 2009-2013 were excessively high, and called for steps to improve efficiency.

The State Comptroller cited large sums of public money spent on cleaning, entertaining, clothes and makeup and on takeout dinners (even though the Netanyahus have a full-time cook) in both their official residence in Jerusalem and their private home in the coastal city of Caesarea.

Media outlets who opposed Netanyahu’s rerun in elections back in March published details of the expenses in a bid to derail his campaign, with little success.

This time, however, the investigation will not target the Netanyahus. According to a source at the State Attorney’s office, there were no plans to call them in for questioning for now, although that could happen later.

Instead, Israeli news reported that Weinstein has asked the police to investigate Ezra Seidoff, the former deputy director general in Netanyahu’s office. The senior official was responsible for overseeing logistical matters such as hiring staff and making payments.

Another suspect is Avi Fahima, an electrician who according to the State Comptroller’s report, used public funds while carrying out electricity work at the prime minister’s home in Caesarea.