The Justice Ministry said Sunday that former Coalition Chairman Likud MK David Bitan could be facing corruption charges. The final decision will be made by Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit pending a hearing, as is customary for elected officials.
Bitan is suspected of accepting bribes of more than $286,000, as well as fraud, breach of trust, and tax violations in nine separate cases.
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The AG has decided not to pursue corruption charges in three other cases in which Bitan was implicated, as they presented no grounds for an indictment, Army Radio reported.
The alleged crimes took place while Bitan served as deputy mayor of Rishon Lezion, a city in central Israel, and as a member of the Israeli parliament.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Bitan as the agriculture minister, but Bitan abruptly withdrew his candidacy several days later.
Along with Netanyahu and former welfare minister Haim Katz, Bitan became the third Likud party politician facing indictments.
Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery in three cases. The prime minister, who seeks re-election on March 2 after two inconclusive elections in 2019, has denied any wrongdoing.
Earlier this month Netanyahu asked parliament for immunity from prosecution. Parliamentary proceedings on the request are expected to begin this week.
