Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife has taken a voluntary lie detector test in a bid to try and dispel claims she misused public funds.
Sara Netanyahu is reportedly expected to be indicted, pending a hearing, on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth some 400,000 shekels ($111,851).
The 58-year-old was questioned by National fraud squad detectives last month on suspicion she routinely claimed state payments for personal housekeeping expenses at the couple’s official and private residences.
Netanyahu himself is also under investigation on suspicion of corruption, and allegedly unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.
Sara Netanyahu (pictured with her husband in July), was questioned by National fraud squad detectives on suspicion she claimed state payments for personal housekeeping expenses
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joined by their wives first lady Melania Trump, right, and Sara Netanyahu, left, in February
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Netanyahu of the charges against her in a few weeks, according to the Israeli news website Haaretz.
The Netanyahu’s have now accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali, who is currently leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residence’s expenses and stealing food.
Private broadcaster Channel Two reported at the weekend that the attorney general was expected to announce charges against her by September 10.
‘She took the test,’ Netanyahu family lawyer Yossi Cohen told Israeli public radio. ‘It’s a very tough test. It’s humiliating and she did it wonderfully.’
He did not give details of the questions she was asked or the test results.
He said the decision to undergo the examination, at a privately operated polygraph facility, was taken ‘following the horrible mudslinging against her and after we heard that she is going to be put on trial’.
Results of polygraph testing are not admissible as evidence in Israeli criminal trials.
Sara Netanyahu (left), Melania Trump (centre), and Nechama Rivlin, wife of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin
Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff signed a deal to turn state’s witness in probes involving the premier (pictured)
Netanyahu himself is also under investigation on suspicion of corruption, and allegedly unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters including Australian billionaire James Packer (right) and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan (left)
Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff signed a deal last month to turn state’s witness in probes involving the premier.
Also under investigation is a suspicion that Netanyahu sought a secret deal with the publisher of top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot.
The proposed deal, which is not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for him helping to scale down the operations of Israel Hayom, Yediot’s main competitor.
Netanyahu has been questioned about both cases.
The investigations have have stirred Israeli politics and led to speculation over whether Netanyahu will eventually be forced to step down, which he is not formally obliged to do unless convicted.
He denies any wrongdoing.