Bribery and money laundering of tens of millions: Senior official in Kiryat Bialik municipality in trouble
The prosecution announced its intention to indict the deputy and acting mayor of Kiryat Bialik, Yossi Azriel, along with his family members, over suspicions of corruption and illicit ties with real estate developers.
The Tax and Economic Prosecution has notified the legal representatives of Yossi Azriel, deputy and acting mayor of Kiryat Bialik, his sons Tom and Ben Azriel, and several real estate companies and their officials of the intent to indict them. The final decision is subject to a hearing, with charges including bribery, breach of trust, and money laundering, depending on the role of each individual.
According to the investigation, between 2018 and 2022, while serving as deputy mayor, chairman of the local planning and construction committee, and holding various positions in municipal corporations, Yossi Azriel leveraged his authority to maintain ongoing contact with developers operating within the city's jurisdiction.
From 2019 until March 2022, Yossi Azriel, together with his sons, acted to promote their economic interests by exploiting his public office. To this end, they established the company 'Ritev,' in which Yossi Azriel was a central figure involved in management and decision-making.
'The company 'Ritev' served as a platform for receiving benefits from developers operating within the jurisdiction of the local committee headed by Yossi Azriel, and for promoting the business activities of the three while exploiting his public position,' the investigation alleges.
The case was investigated by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (YAHA) of Lahav 433 of the Israel Police.
