Sara Netanyahu’s Trial Opens over Misuse of $100,000 in Funds

Local Editor

Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara went on trial Sunday for using official funds to fraudulently pay for hundreds of meals, part of a list of legal troubles facing the family.

The trial, which opened at the occupied al-Quds magistrates court Sunday afternoon.

Sara Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust in June with prosecutors accusing her of misusing funds to pay for catered meals costing $100,000 by falsely declaring there were no cooks available at the premier's official residence.

According to the charge sheet, the meals were ordered from a variety of well-known businesses, including an Italian restaurant, a Middle Eastern grill joint and a sushi establishment.

As the trial got underway, Netanyahu's lawyers called for a delay in its opening arguing that they had not received all materials from the investigation from the prosecution.

They further requested that only one judge preside over the case, contrary to prosecutor's wishes that a panel of three judges oversee the proceedings due to the "public sensitivity" of the case.

Sara Netanyahu was previously accused of pocketing cash from deposit refunds for empty bottles returned from the official residence.

She also faced accusations of mistreating staff, and in 2016 a court awarded some $47,000 in damages to a former housekeeper who accused the couple of repeated workplace abuse.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team