police recommends: Hadera Mayor Zvika Gendelman be tried on suspicion of fraud

Police recommend that Hadera Mayor Zvika Gendelman and contractor Sami Levy be tried on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust, violations of the Computers Law and offenses of obstructing court proceedings, the police said. The investigation file will be transferred to the State Attorney's Office and it will decide whether to invite the two to a hearing before prosecution.
Sami Levy, a former deputy mayor of Hadera on behalf of Shas, is a well-known real estate developer in the city and a political activist who is considered influential in many of the ultra-Orthodox voters. According to suspicions, in return for political support, the mayor undertook to promote Levy's various projects, including an initiative to build an old-age home promoted by Levi in ​​the city.
"This improper relationship was not reported by the parties to the relevant officials in the municipality, despite the fact that the suspects were allegedly in conflict of interest," the police said.
In July, just four months before the mayoral elections, the investigation against the two became apparent. This followed a long period of wiretapping in the mayor's office, from which the picture of the supposedly forbidden relations emerged. Gendelman was detained for a week and then expelled from the municipal offices for about a month and a half. Despite this, he managed to be re-elected mayor, after winning 41% of the vote.
Complaints that Gendelman allegedly promotes Levy's interests in a conflict of interest were submitted to the police and even published in 2014.