Sara Netanyahu convicted of misusing state funds, says she’s ‘suffered enough’

PM’s wife admits to lesser offense in plea deal that dropped original fraud charge over her illegal ordering of catered meals to the PM’s Residence; will pay $15,000 to state

By TOI STAFF
Today, 12:15 pm

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, was convicted Sunday of taking unfair advantage of a mistake, after earlier confessing to the offense as part of a plea deal signed last week in a case involving allegations of illegally procured catering services at the Prime Minister’s Residence.

“Indeed, the defendant misused public funds,” judge Avital Chen said in announcing the verdict, while admitting the case for the prosecution had not been smooth. He noted Netanyahu’s lack of previous convictions and the fact that she had “taken responsibility and saved a lot of precious judicial time.”

After the verdict was announced, Netanyahu told the judge: “I have suffered enough.”

The agreement saw Netanyahu escape a conviction of aggravated fraud, but confess to the lesser charge. She will pay NIS 55,000 ($15,210) — NIS 10,000 as a fine, and the rest as restitution.

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