Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, is expected to resign his Knesset seat as part of a plea deal in a criminal case he is facing, Channel 12 News reported on Monday.
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Deri, who in 1999 was convicted of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust – for which he served 22 months in prison out of a three-year sentence – is currently under investigation for similar charges.
Shas' leader has denied any wrongdoing, saying he was sure the charges will prove "false."
According to the report, Deri is poised to sign a plea deal in the coming days as part of which he will admit to serious tax offenses and resign from the Knesset in the process while maintaining his position of Shas chairman.
Unnamed Shas officials told Channel 12 News they expect Deri to lead the party from outside the Knesset.
The deal was reportedly reached to avoid legal proceedings in which the court could apply moral turpitude, thus preventing him from seeking future elections.
Under Israeli law, public servants convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude are banned from public service for seven years.
According to Walla news, Deri has already consented to the deal, which is now pending Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit's approval.
Police recommended filing charges against Deri in the current case in 2018, saying the evidence supported charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
Former State Attorney Shai Nitzan also recommended charging Deri, but the majority of those charges were dropped earlier this year.
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