Suspicion: House manager at the PM's residence used official credit card for personal expenses

The Lahav 433 unit is investigating suspicions that the house manager at the Prime Minister's residence and another employee regularly used the residence's credit card for private needs. Investigators believe the pair purchased food and various household items for their private homes, totaling tens of thousands of shekels.

At least two employees were witnesses to the alleged embezzlement.

"Azoulay would tell me: 'What you see stays between us'," reported Y., an employee at the residence, to News 12.

About a month and a half ago, Lahav 433 investigators summoned an employee, L., to provide testimony. L. is not the only witness; in a statement of claim filed by another employee, Y., against the Prime Minister's Office, his lawyer Ayala Honigman noted that Y. had detailed the suspicions to the Deputy Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Sigalit Gabay, several months ago.

This incident follows a series of past issues regarding the house manager. About two years ago, Azoulay was convicted of making unauthorized purchases at the residence, and seven months ago, News 12 reported that police were investigating allegations that he received benefits from a computing supplier working with the residence. Despite these cases, Azoulay was rehired as an external contractor in the same position.

Responses:

House manager Efi Azoulay stated in response:

"Azoulay never made use of the residence's credit card for his personal needs. Every purchase is made under the strict, transparent, and controlled supervision of the accounting department at the Prime Minister's Office."

The police and the Prime Minister's Office chose not to respond.