The mainstream Israeli media and the chareidi media are one when it comes to the ongoing police investigation against Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto and his wife, alleged to have bribed a senior police official to protect his interests, alleged to be engaged in money laundering and other illegal activities.

Officials point out that the police official involved, the intended recipient of the alleged bribe, Brigadier-General Ephraim Bracha, was not a plant, but he is a long-time follower of the rav, a shomer shabbos Yid, one who has turned to Rabbi Pinto for advice and counsel many times over the years. Being that he maintained a close relationship with the rav, the rav allegedly turned to him to intervene on his behalf, to provide him with information pertaining to the ongoing investigation. Bracha reacted by turning to his superiors.

The rav and Rebitzen Devorah were arrested and questioned last week, and the rabbi was questioned again on Sunday 28 Tishrei 5773. Sadly, the rebbitzen on Sunday was hospitalized after collapsing; with police stating that she had ingested a large quantity of pills, apparently due to the stress surrounding the investigation.

Officials report that police are moving forward with the case and the evidence against the rav is “solid” and an indictment is expected in the not too distant future.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)