Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, charged with fraud

Sara Netanyahu is alleged to have spent about $100,000 on meals delivered to their Jerusalem home

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of the Israeli Prime Minister, has been charged with fraud and breach of trust after a long police probe into allegations she falsified household expenses, the justice ministrShow more

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, has been charged with fraud and breach of trust.

Mrs Netanyahu, 59, and another government employee, are accused of fraudulently obtaining about $100,000 worth of meals from expensive restaurants delivered to the prime minister's official Jerusalem residence.

The allegations, released to the media by the Israeli justice ministry, said that she and an aide falsely declared there were no cooks available, despite having an official chef at the house on the government’s payroll.

The unauthorised expenses are alleged to have taken place between September 2010 and March 2013. The cost amounted to "over 350,000 shekels ($97,000)", the justice ministry said.

Mrs Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Netanyahu, who is embroiled in a number of corruption investigations, called the allegation absurd and unfounded. The Israeli prime minister also said they are the subject of a political witch-hunt by leftists and the media.

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