The former Tax Authority director and two deputy directors will be charged with accepting bribes.
The Office of the State Prosecutor will prosecute eight suspects in the Israel Tax Authority affair, headed by former Tax Authority director Jackie Matza, and deputy directors Gidi Bar-Zakai and Shmuel Bubrov. Most of the suspects will be charged with accepting bribes and breach of trust. Prime Minister's Bureau manager Shula Zaken will be charged with fraud and breach of trust. Businessmen Yoram Karshi (Zaken's brother), and Kobi Ben-Gur will be charged with bribing Matza and other Tax Authority staff. The final decision is subject to a hearing for the suspects.
The indictments state that Matza was at the beck and call of Karshi and Ben-Gur and allowed himself to be manipulated by them. The two businessmen accumulated tremendous power and influence within the Tax Authority and secured the appointment of both junior and senior staff members, who in return supported the appointment of Karshi and Ben-Gur's candidates for certain positions.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 3, 2008
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