Israeli police say minister should be charged with fraud
Israeli police recommend charges be brought against interior minister in major corruption case
FILE - In this March 20, 2018 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, with Interior Minister Aryeh Deri left, and Cabinet Secretary Tzachi Braverman attend a special cabinet meeting in the southern Israeli city of Dimona. Israeli police are recommending charges be brought against Deri in a major corruption case. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says there is "evidentiary basis" against Aryeh Deri that he committed fraud and breach of trust, as well as for the commission of millions of shekels in tax offenses, money laundering and the disruption of court proceedings. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli police on Tuesday recommended charges be brought against the interior minister in a major corruption case.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said there is an "evidentiary basis" that Aryeh Deri committed fraud and breach of trust, as well as millions of shekels in tax offenses and money laundering, and the disruption of court proceedings.
Police have questioned Deri and his wife on suspicion of receiving illicit payments from businessmen. They deny any crimes were committed.
Deri was previously sentenced to three years in prison for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in 2000 during his previous stint as interior minister in the 1990s. He served 22 months in prison but made a political comeback and retook the reins of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party in 2013.
