Netanyahu calls accusations against him 'worthless'

Netanyahu denied any wrongdoing and questioned the Israeli police's credibility Tuesday

Former Israeli premier blames wife for 'mistake'

March 28, 2000
Web posted at: 2:11 p.m. EST (1911 GMT)

In this story: Netanyahu says Amedi said 'pay later' Theft alleged as well RELATED STORIES, SITES

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that a simple mistake by his wife is the basis of bribery and fraud charges Israeli police are recommending should be filed against him.

"All of these accusations are completely baseless," Netanyahu said on Channel One television in Tel Aviv. "I know the truth. We didn't do anything wrong."

VIDEO Netanyahu was interviewed on Israeli television Tuesday. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     AUDIO CNN's Walter Rodgers reports from Jerusalem on the Israeli police recommendation 784K/32 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

Netanyahu and his wife Sara are suspected of accepting the moving and cleaning services of contractor Yaakov Amedi for three years without pay. In return, Amedi was allegedly slated to receive a government contract. Amedi has since turned state's witness and is cooperating with police in the investigation.

Netanyahu insisted that he had met Amedi once while "moving from one apartment to another."

"After that, it was just my wife involved," the former prime minister said. "He kept postponing the business of paying, ... never gave us a bill. My wife made a mistake, that is all. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

Netanyahu says Amedi said 'pay later'

Israeli police are recommending that criminal corruption charges be brought against the Netanyahus in a bribery and theft investigation, according to Israeli radio reports.

If Israel's attorney general accepts the recommendation, Netanyahu could be charged with accepting a bribe, fraud and breach of trust by a public servant, police said. His wife could face charges that include theft.

"The whole thing is ridiculous," Netanyahu said.

"Over the past few years, the police has recommended putting about fifteen public leaders on trial. Do you know how many of them were convicted in the end?" he said. "Only one, only one to the best of my knowledge. In other words, these recommendations are worthless, and that's what's going to happen in our case too."

Media reports say Amedi submitted a $110,000 bill after Netanyahu was defeated and it became clear Amedi would not get a government contract. Netanyahu's lawyers said he offered to pay for the work himself, and told his office not to pay the bill submitted by Amedi.

"The truth of the matter is maybe my wife did not have the experience and she did not pay," Netanyahu said. "She wanted to pay, but she somehow went along with his saying that 'you don't need to pay me now, you can pay later.' She didn't insist and that was a mistake. That's the only reason we are sitting here right now ... It was a mistake, but it's not a criminal activity.

Theft alleged as well

The couple also are suspected of keeping dozens of gifts they received during Netanyahu's 1996-99 term, in violation of Israeli law.

The gifts reportedly included candlesticks, silverware, candelabras, carpets, pictures, scarves and a gold letter opener that was a gift from U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

Netanyahu has said he did not intend to keep the gifts, noting that they were being stored in a government warehouse.

A criminal indictment would deal a serious blow to Netanyahu's political comeback plans.

Police said they would make an announcement shortly on the Netanyahu investigation, but would not comment on the radio reports.

Jerusalem Bureau Chief Walter Rodgers, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Netanyahu says he'll be cleared in fraud investigation
September 16, 1999

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