On Her Way To Prison?
Israeli Minister Allegedly Received Envelopes of Cash and Jewelry
Police suspect Minister for Social Equality May Golan received bribes in the form of cash and jewelry, with testimonies describing fictitious salaries, luxury gifts, and envelopes of money handed to her in a restaurant.
The investigation against the Minister of Social Equality May Golan, has taken a turn as Israeli police is now questioning her on suspicion of receiving bribes in the form of cash and jewelry.
The suspicions are based on both new and old testimonies, painting a serious picture of how money allegedly reached the minister.
One testimony in police possession for about two months claims that one of Golan’s associates, among the six recently arrested, managed to arrange fictitious employment for his two nephews. According to suspicions, the nephews were paid without actually working, and at some point, it was decided to use the money to buy jewelry worth tens of thousands of shekels and pass it on to the minister. Another testimony, also in police hands, describes an event from a few years ago in a restaurant in Or Yehuda. One of the associates said he personally saw envelopes of cash, delivered by another associate who was also arrested this week, being handed directly to Minister Golan.
Another branch of the investigation concerns a nonprofit organization linked to Golan’s family. On Friday, the minister’s mother, Rimona, appeared for another round of questioning. Her testimony did not add much to understanding the nonprofit’s operations, but indirectly reinforced suspicions against her daughter.
Police officials say Golan herself is expected to report tomorrow for questioning at the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit headquarters, after she promised to do so. The interrogation is expected to be lengthy and thorough. However, sources within the unit stressed that until they physically see her walk through the gates, they won’t be certain it will actually happen.