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| Mayor Yitzhak Idan |
The Orthodox Jewish mayor of the Israeli city of Elad was arrested and charged with money laundering related charges after a long investigation by Israeli police, according to court proceedings in Rishon Letzion, Israel.
The Magistrates Court in Rishon Letzion ordered the continued remand of the mayor, on Sunday, after the arrest of Mayor Yitzhak Idan, of the predominantly religious city of Elad. The mayor was arrested along with businessman Motti Cohen. They were both charged with bribery and laundering money.
The two were arrested on Sunday morning, along with three other suspects, following raids by fraud and tax investigators in the homes and offices of the suspects. The others suspects were charged with paying and accepting bribes, act as intermediaries for bribery, fraud, breach of trust, planning and building violations, theft by unauthorized means, money laundering and tax violations.
“It is just shameful when our leaders act in such a criminal way. He should have known better. He should resign his position immediately,” Joshua Schwartz, 50, of Elad, Israel told YourJewishNews.com after being asked to comment on the arrest of the city mayor.