Netanyahu’s Ex-chief of Staff Suspect in Fraud Case

Local Editor

The "Israeli" Police named "Israeli" PM Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff and long-term adviser Ari Harow Wednesday as the senior aide suspected of a series of offenses while employed by the Prime Minister's Office.

He was questioned by police under caution on Monday without being publicly named "for a range of offenses" before being released to house arrest for five days. Police also said they have set financial restrictions on him during the period.

Harow, who owns global consultancy firm, is suspected of breach of trust and fraud.

Los Angeles-born official was appointed chief of staff of the "Israeli" PMO in 2014, where he served for a year before leaving to run the 2015 election campaign for Netanyahu's Likud party.

He first worked for Netanyahu when he was appointed foreign affairs adviser during the premier's spell as leader of the opposition. He then spearheaded the 2009 election campaign that catapulted Netanyahu back to office. Following the election, he served as Netanyahu's bureau chief until 2010, managing the prime minister's schedule and advising him on a range of issues.

It is worth mentioning that the "Israeli" Prime Minister's Offices was dogged by recent controversy over government contracts connected to former employees.

Back in October, it was revealed that Netanyahu's parliamentary adviser Perach Lerner was being probed on allegations of fraud and breach of trust. She was alleged to have used her position to advance the interests of a public relations firm owned by her husband, Avi, who was also interrogated.

In light of the allegations, Perach Lerner was suspended from her post for four months.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team