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| Benjamin Netanyahu investigated for money laundering by Israeli authorities | Benjamin Netanyahu investigated for money laundering by Israeli authorities |
| (2 months later) | |
| Benjamin Netanyahu is under investigation by Israel's attorney general after reports he was gifted a large amount of money from an unknown source. | Benjamin Netanyahu is under investigation by Israel's attorney general after reports he was gifted a large amount of money from an unknown source. |
| The Israel Prime Minister has dismissed the allegations of corruption, which are the most recent in a series leveled against himself and his wife, as "baseless". | The Israel Prime Minister has dismissed the allegations of corruption, which are the most recent in a series leveled against himself and his wife, as "baseless". |
| But a formal examination was announced by the attorney general late on Sunday, and could prove to be embarrassing for the leader known as "Bibi" if found to be true. | But a formal examination was announced by the attorney general late on Sunday, and could prove to be embarrassing for the leader known as "Bibi" if found to be true. |
| After the Justice Ministry confirmed it was looking into suspicions, Israeli media began to report that either Mr Netanyahu or one of his family members had received a large sum of money unrelated to polictical campaigns. | After the Justice Ministry confirmed it was looking into suspicions, Israeli media began to report that either Mr Netanyahu or one of his family members had received a large sum of money unrelated to polictical campaigns. |
| The claim has been dismissed by both the Ministry and the Prime Minister's spokesperson. | The claim has been dismissed by both the Ministry and the Prime Minister's spokesperson. |
| In a statement, the Justice Ministry said media reports were "incorrect to say the least", adding that the attorney general had not yet launched a full-fledged criminal investigation against Netanyahu. | In a statement, the Justice Ministry said media reports were "incorrect to say the least", adding that the attorney general had not yet launched a full-fledged criminal investigation against Netanyahu. |
| Meanwhile Nir Hefetz, an adviser to the Netanyahu family, said: "As happened in all previous instances, when deeds attributed to Prime Minister Netanyahu turned out to be baseless, here as well there will be nothing, because there is nothing." | Meanwhile Nir Hefetz, an adviser to the Netanyahu family, said: "As happened in all previous instances, when deeds attributed to Prime Minister Netanyahu turned out to be baseless, here as well there will be nothing, because there is nothing." |
| Those "previous instances" include Mr Netanyahu's wife, Sara, being accused of mistreatment by former employees at the couple's official home. | Those "previous instances" include Mr Netanyahu's wife, Sara, being accused of mistreatment by former employees at the couple's official home. |
| The police also recommended that she be indicted over extensive household spending and misuse of state funds - including for a caregiver for her ill father and for private meals, all claims the Netanyahus have denied. | The police also recommended that she be indicted over extensive household spending and misuse of state funds - including for a caregiver for her ill father and for private meals, all claims the Netanyahus have denied. |
| Mr Netanyahu himself went on a six-day trip to New York last year using 600,000 (£462,000) of public money. This included $1,600 (£1,200) on a personal hairdresser. | Mr Netanyahu himself went on a six-day trip to New York last year using 600,000 (£462,000) of public money. This included $1,600 (£1,200) on a personal hairdresser. |
| And in another allegation, Arnaud Mimran, a French man convicted of a carbon tax fraud last week, said he gave Mr Netanyahu large sums for an election campaigns, an exchange which would violate Israel's campaign finance laws. | And in another allegation, Arnaud Mimran, a French man convicted of a carbon tax fraud last week, said he gave Mr Netanyahu large sums for an election campaigns, an exchange which would violate Israel's campaign finance laws. |
| But the Israeli premier said the donation of $40,000 (£30,800) from Mimran was lawful because he received it while he held no office. | But the Israeli premier said the donation of $40,000 (£30,800) from Mimran was lawful because he received it while he held no office. |
| If the most recent probe is found to be true, it could lead to charges against Mr Netanyahu. | If the most recent probe is found to be true, it could lead to charges against Mr Netanyahu. |
| The scandals which have dogged both he and his wife Sara, aside from ongoing international criticism over the occupation of Palestinian territories, has painted the couple as enjoying a lavish lifestyle out of touch with the average Israeli. | The scandals which have dogged both he and his wife Sara, aside from ongoing international criticism over the occupation of Palestinian territories, has painted the couple as enjoying a lavish lifestyle out of touch with the average Israeli. |
| The scandals do not seem to have threatened Mr Netanyahu, who was first elected as Prime Minister 20 years ago with some breaks since, but have been a source of embarrassment and fuel for those who criticise him. | The scandals do not seem to have threatened Mr Netanyahu, who was first elected as Prime Minister 20 years ago with some breaks since, but have been a source of embarrassment and fuel for those who criticise him. |
| Additional reporting by Associated Press | Additional reporting by Associated Press |
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