Rav Pinto has violated a court order as he did not board a flight to return home to appear in a court hearing, but remains in the USA. Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto collapsed on a plane prior to departing from the US. He was ordered to return home despite ongoing medical treatment for cancer as the prosecution insists that he attend the next hearing in his case. The rav boarded a flight in New York but passed out before takeoff. The rabbi was admitted to a New York Hospital, a hospital near the airport. Rabbi Pinto’s attorneys have been fighting to permit him to remain in the US where he is receiving treatment but the High Court of Justice ruled in favor of the prosecution’s request. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Defense attorney for Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto spoke with Kol Berama Radio, using the public forum to express criticism against the prosecution in the ongoing trial against the rabbi. Feldman has brought documentation and photos showing the rav is hospitalized in the US and fighting a serious illness, yet the prosecution insists that he appear for the continuation of the trail as scheduled. Feldman spoke with the chareidi radio on Tuesday evening the eve of 8 Cheshvan, telling host Moshe Glasner “I am in this profession for many years, and have never encountered such derogatory resistance as in this case. Sadly, the rabbi is ill with cancer and wanted to have surgery performed in the United States but the prosecution objected”. “The rabbi turned to the court, explaining a person is entitled to select his doctor. He had surgery but there have been complications and we have requested to permit him to continue in the US to address his medical situation. We brought an expert medical opinion but they feel the rav is not sufficiently ill. After the surgery the rav is supposed to have another surgical procedure and once again the prosecution objected”. “I do not know what the prosecution wants. I said in the hearing today she [the prosecution] would prefer that he dies in the United States but the court ruled in between our request and the prosecution’s position, that he delayed return is not a violation of his conditional release”. Feldman stressed that his client is being hounded and treated most unfairly by the prosecution. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto underwent successful surgery in NYC on Wednesday, 11 Elul. The rav was given special permission by the courts to leave Israel to have the surgery, which is related to the cancer he is battling. The rabbi’s doctors are quoted expressing satisfaction following the surgery. Leaders of the Shuva Yisrael Kehilla headed by Rav Pinto call on the tzibur to continue being mispallel on the rav’s behalf. The rav was being treated in NYC a number of months ago but was compelled to return to Israel because of the legal proceedings against him. Despite objections from the prosecution, the High Court of Justice agreed to permit the rav to leave Israel once again to continue his medical treatment. Justice Anat Brown rejected the prosecution’s contention that the rabbi is a flight risk, citing he has returned in the past. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, 21 Menachem Av that Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto may travel abroad for continued medical care. He may remain in the United States for six weeks to undergo an operation related to his cancer. Justice Anat Brown accept the position of the rabbi’s legal team. Pinto’s attorney told the court that the rabbi did comply with court orders to return in the past and there is no reason to believe he will not continue doing so in the future. The court accepted his position. The rabbi must forfeit NIS 1 million prior to leaving Israel. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Gabbaim of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, 42, and people close to the “Mekubal” are calling on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to permit the rabbi to leave the country, explaining he must undergo medical treatments abroad. The rabbi cannot leave the country without Weinstein’s permission do to the legal proceedings against him. The rav’s gabbaim warn Weinstein that if anything happens to him as a result of his inability to receive the necessary medical care, he, Weinstein, will be held responsible. They quote the rabbi’s doctor explaining that in his case, the treatments they seek are literally a matter of life and death. The atmosphere in the rav’s camp is one of skepticism as they feel Weinstein will not permit Rabbi Pinto to leave Israel. The rav’s gabbaim request that the tzibur continue being mispallel for Yoshiyahu Yosef ben Zohari bsoch sha’ar cholei yisrael. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

In a tragic event, former senior Israel Police head of the elite 433 Unit, Israel’s FBI, has taken his own life R”L. Ephraim Bracha, whose name was implicated in the fraud case involving Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, took his own life on motzei Shabbos Parshas Balak. It is reported his wife realized that he got up in the middle of the night and drove away in his vehicle. He was later found with a self-inflicted bullet hole in his heart. Officials in the department report of late, the former senior official appeared despondent, even during the retirement party for Chief Yochanan Danino. Last week Channel 10 News reports investigators have uncovered information that Bracha passed classified information to Pinto along with a report that he maintained improper connections with Port of Ashdod officials and passed information to them regarding an ongoing investigation against them. The police statement to the media read “Effie Bracha, married and the father of four, 55-years-old at his death, filled a number of positions since entering the force in 1983. His last post was head of the 433 Lahav Unit. The department bows its head to the family in sorrow”. Haaretz quoted Bracha saying in an April 15th report, If I gave a shekel, I will put my head under the guillotine and take my own life”. Pinto responds ‘Do it”. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

According to a Channel 10 News report filed by Baruch Kra, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto testified against former senior Israel Police commander, Ephraim Bracha. Bracha, who headed the 433 Unit, Israel’s equivalent to the FBI, led to Rav Pinto being investigated. The Justice Ministry Police Investigations Unit has been probing allegations that while Bracha headed the department’s top investigation’s unit maintained improper connections with detainees and allegedly passed forbidden information to them. These allegations pertain primarily to the investigation into the Port of Ashdod by the unit. The 10 News report explains since the conviction of Rabbi Pinto someone has been working to bring down Bracha by providing information against him. However to date there has not been sufficient information to launch an investigation against him. The situation has changed and the Justice Ministry investigation unit has decided to open an investigation and based on the findings of this probe it will determine if a criminal investigation is warranted. Channel 10 reported a number of people have already given statements in the case, including from Rabbi Pinto. Two weeks ago he was summoned to the Justice Ministry’s unit and spoke with investigators. The information provided by the rav will be pivotal towards deciding in a criminal case is to be launched against Bracha. Last week it was reported that testimony given in a case against Roniel Fischer by former Israel Police commander Eren Malka works to Rav Pinto’s favor as Malka stated Bracha gave the impression he was unwilling to launch an investigation against R’ Pinto despite the evidence demanding such a move. This pointed to an unethical connection between Bracha and Pinto. During the period when Bracha was close to Rav Pinto, an investigation into the Avi Gabbai crime family was taking place, probing alleged theft of gasoline. Malka said that Bracha headed a major investigation tracking monetary payments, money laundering including funds directed to Rabbi Pinto. Malka explained that they were able to track money from different fuel companies to Rabbi Pinto. Malka explained he turned to Bracha informing him the time had come to bring in Rabbi Pinto for questioning, but Bracha vetoed the move. Malka quotes Bracha saying “Do you have an idea who Rav Pinto is? No way. He is not to be questioned”. Malka explained he received orders and followed them, hence Rav Pinto was not questioned despite the accumulated evidence that significant sums of monies made their way to the rabbi’s hands. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

During testimony given in a case against Roniel Fischer by former Israel Police officer Eren Malka, the latter released information that has a direct impact on the case involving Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. During his testimony, Malka revealed the inner workings of the police department’s investigations unit in 2005, a time period where Rabbi Pinto was under surveillance for possible law-breaking. Malka reports that then commander of the unit, Ephraim Bracha, refused to launch an investigation against Pinto. The investigation revealed that money laundering and other illegal activities led to channeling funds to Rabbi Pinto’s mosdos. Malka explains his men documented money transfers into Rabbi Pinto-affiliated accounts but Bracha refused to order a formal investigation, reportedly insisting “we don’t investigate him”. Malka testified “I explained to him that we documented the money transferred to Rabbi Pinto’s court and that we must investigate, but Ephraim told me quietly ‘forget it, it is not necessary’. Malka’s testimony is in direct contradiction to statements given to police by Malka, for he insisted he and Rabbi Pinto did not have a close relationship and they do not know one another for too long. Rabbi Pinto has been maintaining they are long time good friends and that he assisted his friend Bracha financially at times. Pinto is a state witness in the bribery case against Bracha and the testimony given by Malka in an unrelated case gives another measure of credibility to Rabbi Pinto’s statements against Bracha, which the latter insists are untrue. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Chassidim of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto warn of consequences that will occur if the rav is imprisoned following his plea bargain agreement conviction. They warn that what has taken place to date is nothing compared to what will occur if the rav is imprisoned. It is also being reported from Ashdod that a number of mekubalim close to Rav Pinto state that the difficult events occurring in the world today are in part due to the rav’s court conviction. Some of these mekubalim announced prior to the rabbi’s trial that an earthquake will occur on the day he is convicted, adding if he must enter prison, a massive quake will occur on that day – possibly in Israel. They further state the earthquake in Nepal was supposed to take place in Israel but it was sent to Nepal due to the intervention of Chacham Sasson Tabashi. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Tel Aviv District Court Judge Oded Mudrick on Tuesday morning 23 Iyar sentenced Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. Pinto was convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice. He agreed to become a state witness and reached a plea agreement with the prosecution. The court acknowledged the rabbi’s medical issues and illnesses, as well as the rabbi’s willingness to cooperate with the state prosecutor in the case. As such, the rabbi was sentenced to one year imprisonment and a 1 million NIS fine. The court agreed to a request from defense attorneys to permit an appeal within 10 days. The court apparently weighed the rabbi’s serious medical condition heavily in the sentencing decision. However, the defense team requested delaying implementation of the sentence on the possibility an appeal might be filed. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Escorted by dozens of followers, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto on Tuesday, 9 Iyar arrived in court for a sentencing hearing. The case deals with bribery and fraud charges against the rav, along with charges of interfering with an ongoing investigation. Ultimately, Rabbi Pinto agreed to become a state witness, plead guilty to lesser charges for a minimal jail term. The state hopes to use the rabbi’s testimony to convict former Israel Police senior commander Menashe Arbiv. Four of the rav’s doctors testified, explaining the rabbi’s complicated medical situation to the court. The prosecution wants the rabbi’s medical documents verified, calling for jail time despite his reported illness. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto this week appeared before the Tel Aviv District Court this week as ordered despite his complex medical situation. The rav this week returned to Israel from New York City, where he underwent a series of surgeries and medical procedure to battle his cancer. The rabbi pleaded guilty to offering a bribe in line with his plea bargain agreement, explaining he did so not because he is guilty but to protect his rebitzen from criminal charges. Greeted by his followers in his Ashdod beis medrash the rav explained it is not possible to be a tzaddik without enduring yisurim. He compared himself to Rabbi Akiva, who “learned torah despite the difficulties and the risks involved”. He added that HKBH give koach to people that are supernatural and that was the case with Rabbi Akiva, with the latter explaining to his talmidim that one who works on himself can reach levels beyond one’s expectations. Rav pinto had harsh words for his critics, stating he hopes that he will be wrapped in the papers that carry their words as a kapora, insisting he has not done anything wrong. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto appeared in the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday morning 25 Nissan as instructed. The rabbi returned to Israel on Monday and suffered a cardiac incident during the flight. He was reportedly returning from medical treatment for his illness which he received in NYC. As a result of the cardiac incident the rabbi was transported to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah where he underwent a cardiac catheterization. As expected, Rabbi Pinto admitted to his guilt in the extortion case against him as part of the plea bargain agreement with the prosecution. The rabbi as part of the agreement is going to testify as a state witness against senior police command Menashe Arbiv. The rabbi arrived for the court session directly from the hospital, 20 minutes late. He admitted to his actions, offering a $200,000 bribe to Arbiv in exchange for information pertaining to the Israel Police and FBI investigations against him. In light of his confession, the court convicted Rabbi Pinto of charges including attempted bribery and obstruction of justice. Justice Oded Mudrick announced sentencing will take place on 9 Iyar at 12:30. The rabbi is prevented from leaving the country in the interim. The rabbi was instructed to hand over his passport to the court within 24 hours. In exchange for signing the agreement and becoming a state witness against Arbiv, most of the charges that were going to be filed against the rabbi were dropped by the prosecution. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto landed in Israel as the legal process against him continues. He arrived with a physician escort as he is battling a serious illness and recently underwent a number of complicated surgeries and medical procedures in New York City. On the flight home, Rav Pinto suffered a cardiac incident and he was transported to Beilinson Hospital where he underwent a cardiac catheterization. He remains admitted at this time. Despite his complicated medical condition, the rav was compelled to return home to Israel as the court adjudicating his case refused to grant a delay to accommodate him, as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL. The rabbi is confined to a wheelchair and has his private physician with him at all times. Rabbi Pinto is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, 25 Nissan at which time the criminal indictment against him will be read. Rabbi Pinto made a deal with the prosecution setting a maximum jail term in return for his testimony against other defendants. Persons close to the rav are angry over the court’s decision, blaming his latest medical complication on the fact he was compelled to fly when he should have remained under close medical care in New York City. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Tel Aviv District Court has rejected a requested filed by the defense attorney of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, seeking to push off the trial due to the rav’s serious medical condition. The rav did not appear for a hearing last month since he is hospitalized in a NYC hospital and has undergone serious surgical procedures as he flights a serious illness. The court last month refused a similar request to delay the trail against the rav, who faces charges including tax evasion and fraud. On Sunday, 23 Nissan, the court rejected the latest request for a delay. During the upcoming session, the agreement reached with Rav Pinto to be a state witness is to be read before the court. Despite presenting the court with medical documentation from members of the rav’s medical team, Justice Oded Mudrick did not grant a delay despite the fact that doctors explained in letters to the court that the rav is too ill to fly from NYC to Israel. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto on Tuesday, 26 Adar, underwent brain surgery in a New York City hospital. Man of his followers were in the hospital, davening for his refuah. On Thursday, 28 Adar, a hearing is set in the Tel Aviv District Court which Rabbi Pinto is supposed to attend. All requests from his attorneys to postpone his appearance were rejected by the court. The court stated the medical documentation submitted was insufficient, requesting additional documents from the rabbi’s lawyers. The rabbi’s attorneys asked for an urgent hearing to discuss postponing the hearing. The rav has undergone at least one additional major surgery this month. The tzibur is asked to be mispallel for Yoshiyahu Yosef ben Zari bsoch sha’ar cholei yisrael. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Attorneys for Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto submitted medical documents attesting to the difficult condition of their client, seeking a delay in next week’s planned reading of the criminal indictment against Rav Pinto. The court rejected the documents, explaining they are not official medical documents and therefore, the trial will begin on scheduled and the defendant is expected to be present in the courtroom. At this point lawyers from the rabbi must decide if they will submit additional documents, appeal to the Supreme Court, or simply comply with the court’s decision. The rav has been undergoing medical treatment including surgery in New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Members of the rav’s legal team explain if he has to travel back to Israel for next week’s hearing it will compromise his weakened condition. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Several dozen talmidim of Rav Yoshiyahu Pinto gathered at the Kosel on Monday, 4 Adar to be mispallel on his behalf as he undergoes complicated medical procedures in a NYC hospital. The rav has undergone surgery and follow-up treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan. The procedures are described as serious and complicated. The rav is reportedly in a recovery room following the last procedure. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Following surgery conducted on Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto before Shabbos in New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital, it is reported the rav’s condition now has complications. The rav’s Shuvu Yisrael kehilla is concerned by the news from NYC, and it is reported his condition is life-threatening. There are conflicting reports regarding the hospital, some citing Lenox Hill and other Memorial Sloan Kettering. Persons close to the rav report doctors are doing everything possible to save the rav. In the interim, tefilos on behalf of the rav are ongoing. The rav’s name for Tehillim is Yoshiyahu Yosef ben Zari bsoch sh’ar cholei yisrael. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto has undergone a four-hour surgery described a “complicated” in New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital for the removal of cancerous growths. This is not the first time the rav has undergone surgery for the removal of such growths, but the third. His physicians recently instructed him to undergo this latest procedure. His talmidim recited Tehillim and were mispallel while the surgery was ongoing. His name for Tehillim is unknown at this time. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Israel’s Supreme Court on Wednesday, 15 Shevat, rejected a petition challenging the plea bargain agreement signed between the state and Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. This agreement pertains to the corruption/bribery investigation involving Israel Police Major-General Ephraim Bracha. The three justice panel was headed by Justice Miriam Naor, president of the High Court. In line with the agreement and the indictment filed against Rabbi Pinto, the rav will admit to giving a bribe to Bracha. In line with the agreement, the rabbi will become a state witness against former Israel Police major-general, Menashe Arbiv and he, the rav, will serve a maximum of one year in prison. Justice Naor stated that the agreement is not free of crimes and exhibits surprise in light of the decision not to investigate Arbiv prior to the signing of the plea bargain agreement. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Shuva Yisrael Beis Din on Wednesday, 8 Shevat, released a psak calling on followers to observe a fast day and a taanis dibur on Thursday for the success of a “dangerous surgery” that Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto will undergo on erev Shabbos. The rabbonim of the beis din call on followers of the rav to take part in the fasting and taanis dibur on behalf of Rabbi Pinto. They add the operation was decided upon suddenly. It will take place early Friday morning in NYC’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. At that time, Friday afternoon in Eretz Yisrael, talmidim will be conducting tefilos on the rav’s behalf. Av Beis Din HaRav Shmuel Ochana Shlita told his kehilla that the rav’s ongoing acts of chessed and his continuous concern for the well-being of others will be his best defense in Shomayim for his total recovery. His name for Tehillim is Yoshiyahu Yosef ben Zari bsoch kol cholei am yisrael. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

It is reported that Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, who is in the midst of a complex bribery trial, took an oath in HKBH’s name during an interrogation session on 25 Tishrei 5573 that he did not give a bribe despite allegations against him. The rav reportedly said “If I bribed Ephraim Bracha even with a pruta, then I will not live out the year”, continuing to say he swears, doing so before police interrogators. The prosecution reports Rabbi Pinto has been interrogated nine times, and while he denied giving any bribes in his first interrogation session, during the second session he confirmed that he did give Bracha money but clarified it was not a bribe, simply assistance as he is accustomed to do for so many seeking his assistance. The office of the prosecution adds that during the same interrogation session in which the rabbi swore he is innocent, he praised Ephraim Bracha as “an honest man with integrity, a unique individual, one who never asks for anything but always appears content…never did anything to me.” However in the following interrogation session, Rav Pinto alleged that his rebitzen gave Bracha $200,000 to Bracha’s wife and the latter’s wife confirmed the transaction occurred. The rabbi then acknowledged that the money was a bribe to the senior Israel Police commander, adding the commander received additional sums previously and that at least ten people in his circle were aware of these transactions. The prosecution adds that in interviews with the people ‘in his circle’ denied most of the statements made by the rabbi. Authorities used future interrogation session to determine what the $200,000 was about and if it was a bribe or not. The prosecution also adds that Rabbi Pinto’s “shtick” will not help and they will get to the bottom of the matter and learn what really occurred. The prosecution today reports there were more than a few contradictions during the sessions with Rabbi Pinto including one incident in which Rabbi Pinto referred to Bracha as “A big criminal” and that he, Bracha, demanded $400,000. The rabbi also told officials in Israel that he is the one who made a report to the FBI about Bracha and that he never gave the senior police official bribes. Officials in Israel report the rabbi’s statement do not jibe with the reports received from US investigators. The prosecutor adds that Rebitzen Pinto contradicted her husband’s statements during her interrogation. She denied any knowledge of giving any money to Brach’s wife. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Menashe Arbiv, a former Israel Police senior commander, was questioned ‘under warning’ for 13 hours on Sunday 18 Tishrei and is scheduled for questioning again in the coming days in connection to his dealings with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. When one is questioned ‘under warning’, it generally signals one is likely to face a criminal indictment. Rabbi Pinto recently signed an agreement with the prosecution to become a state witness against Arbiv, who is a former commander of the Israel Police 433 Unit, Israel’s FBI. Arbiv is suspected of accepting bribes from Rabbi Pinto. In accordance with the deal signed by Rabbi Pinto, he will assist the state in convicting Arbiv and will only be compelled to serve a one-year prison term. The allegations against Arbiv pertain to his tenure as Israel Police attaché in the United States. The alleged bribes include free hotel suites and $2,000 monthly payments to a son of the former senior police commander. Officials from the prosecutor’s office on Sunday 18 Tishrei turned to a member of Rabbi Pinto’s legal team questioning a media interview given by the rabbi is violation of the state witness agreement. The prosecution is now threatening that if Rabbi Pinto does not appear for questioning in the case in nine days the deal signed with him will be null and void. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Attorneys Moshe Mazor, Roi Belcher and Eli Zohar, members of the legal team representing Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto have decided to step down. They submitted their request to be relieved of their role as defense attorneys to the Tel Aviv District Court in the hope of resigning from the case. They explain the main reason for their decision is one condition of the agreement, which prohibits the rabbis from speaking to the media. The rabbi signed a plea bargain agreement about two weeks ago in which he agreed to become a state witness in the case against retired Israel Police Major-General Menashe Arbiv. The agreement required the rabbi to admit to his guilt involving a bribe given to Israel Police Major-General Ephraim Bracha as well as attempted bribery and tampering with an investigation charges. In return the state will only ask the rabbi to serve a year imprisonment and the rav will try to persuade the court to agree to a punishment that does not include actual prison time. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto has signed an agreement setting the terms of his cooperation as a state witness against former senior Israel Police office, Major-General Menashe Arbiv. One of the witnesses in the case against Rabbi Pinto is Police Major-General Ephraim Bracha, who accepted bribe funds from Pinto after reporting the bribe offer to his superiors, documenting the transaction. In the plea bargain agreement, Rabbi Pinto has agreed to serve a year in prison as he was compelled to admit to some of his illegal actions including bribery. People assisting Rabbi Pinto are providing documentation attesting to the fact that Rebitzen Pinto maintained a close relationship with Bracha and his wife. Pinto’s defense team is working to minimize the jail time the rabbi will have to serve. What is clear at present is that Rabbi Pinto cannot deny the transaction involving 100,000 Swiss francs. The Pinto team maintains that Bracha has concocted the bribery episode to dilute the integrity of the rabbi’s testimony to the FBI investigators involved in the case during which the rabbi links Bracha to him. Rabbi Pinto and his rebitzen told FBI agents that they conducted hundreds of phone conversations and text messages with Bracha and his wife, both local and trans-Atlantic but Israel Police investigators of the 433 Unit regarded this as inconsequential. Bracha was questioned by Israel Police regarding the phone calls and text messages on 15 October 2013, responding it was not significant and therefore he does not recall their content and that he did not save the text messages. He told his colleagues that he is certain that he reported the calls and messages to relevant officials at the time. Members of the Pinto team on Monday 5 Tishrei revealed that there are 267 calls and SMS text messages between the rebitzen and Bracha’s phones from January 2012 until the case hit the media in October 2012. It was also revealed that on August 2 of that year, the day on which Rabbi Pinto and the rebitzen were questioned regarding the activities of the Chazon Yoshiyahu organization, there were 30 calls between them and Bracha that have not been reported to date. The Pinto team adds that it has additional recordings involving conversations between Rabbi Pinto and Bracha of the days from when the rabbi offered Bracha money until he reported the event to his superior officers, amounting to nine days. Investigators are now scratching their heads in bewilderment, uncertain if Bracha will be added to the senior officers in the department who are suspected of illegal activity connected to Rabbi Pinto. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

After admitting to giving bribes and trying to interfere with ongoing police investigations, a criminal indictment was handed down in the Tel Aviv District Court against Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. The rav also signed a deal with the prosecution agreeing to become a state witness against former senior police commander Menashe Arbiv. In exchange for his admission of guilt and cooperation, the rabbi will pay a monetary fine and serve only one year in prison. The rabbi’s defense attorneys are working to persuade the court to wave actual jail time. The prosecutor also agreed there would not be additional charges against the rabbi and no indictment against his rebitzen. Persons close to the rabbi explain he was forced into the deal to protect his rebitzen and prevent her serving jail time. Pinto admitted to attempting to bribe senior police commander Ephraim Bracha, seeing information from a police and FBI investigation against him. Bracha informed his superiors and the bribe was accepted and documented. The investigation against Rabbi Pinto began at least three years ago as the monetary dealings of his Chazon Yeshayahu organization was under scrutiny. Arbiv will be facing many serious charges including accepting bribes and money laundering. Arbiv has stated that he has dedicated his life to the nation and this is a real slap in his face. Arbiv was compelled to resign his post as head of the 433 Unit, Israel’s FBI and Israel Police as a result of the Pinto case. He insists that he is innocent and the prosecutor should have used him as a state witness against Rabbi Pinto. The indictment and state witness agreement was signed by Deputy Prosecutor Naveh Schiller and not the head of the Tel Aviv Prosecution who has been handling the case. He did not agree with the final version of the agreement and therefore refused to sign. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

It is now official as Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto on Wednesday, 22 Elul signed an agreement with the prosecution to become a state witness in his ongoing trial. Rav Pinto will be the state’s star witness against former senior Israel Police officer Menashe Arbiv. The deal presently includes the rav serving a year in prison but his defense team is working to have his punishment changed that it will not include a period of imprisonment. In all likelihood the final decision will be rendered by the court. As a result of the unfolding case, Arbiv was compelled to resign as head of the 433 unit, Israel’s FBI, and leave the force. While he insists he should be the state witness against Pinto, the state views the case from the other side. Rav Pinto is accused to attempting to bribe high-ranking officers to assist him with information pertaining to investigations against him. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

As the case involving Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto and retired senior Israel Police Commander Menashe Arbiv moves ahead, it appears Rabbi Pinto will in the coming days sign an agreement to become a state witness. Pinto will receive a deal for his cooperation in incriminating Arbiv, the former commander of the prestigious Israel Police 433 Investigations Unit, Israel’s equivalent of the FBI. A meeting was held to discuss the case on Sunday, 10 Sivan between Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and members of the state prosecution and there was a consensus regarding a deal with Rabbi Pinto. Rabbi Pinto recently took a polygraph exam, which showed he was telling the truth. The rabbi does not deny handing over sizable sums to Arbiv and members of his family, explaining he assisted the senior commander just as he assists countless others who seek his guidance. Rav Pinto insists he asked nothing in return and allegations that the money given was a bribe are simply not based in truth. While making a deal to testify against Arbiv will likely assist Pinto immeasurably, he will not escape prosecution entirely. The prosecution is still seeking a one-year prison term and that will be part of the agreement. The original case against Rabbi Pinto included a multi-count criminal indictment including charges of fraud, money laundering, giving a bribe and other white collar crimes. If he signs the deal he will be charged with trying to give a bribe to senior Israel Police Commander Ephraim Bracha. Rabbi Pinto allegedly tried to bribe Bracha with $200,000 in return for information on the investigation against him. Bracha reported the incident to his superiors. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] The return of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto to Israel is accompanied by significant news coverage of the case involving the rav and former Israel Police officials. In addition to being questioned by police for hours, Rabbi Pinto agreed to take a polygraph exam. Reports signal that he passed the lie detector test with flying colors and while the results of the polygraph are not admissible as proof in a court of law, police are now more likely to direct suspicions at Menashe Arbiv, the former commander of the department elite 433 investigations unit. Pinto told investigators that he does not deny giving money to Arbiv’s family as was reported in the past. Pinto explains that he assisted the Arbiv family as he does for many families who approach him with an outstretched hand. Rabbi Pinto explains that Arbiv was once a close follower and when he asked for assistance while his family was in NYC he accommodated, stressing this was not a bribe in any sense of the world. Having emerged from the polygraph with a clean slated, police are now more likely to move ahead in the direction of filing an indictment against Arbiv. Police are trying to get his son Tzachi to return to Israel from Australia, but to date all requests have been ignored. Police officials told the media the department is willing to undertake paying the younger Arbiv’s expenses while in Israel but he still fails to comply voluntarily. See the Channel 10 News report in Hebrew: (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Upon his return to Israel Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto was questioned by police investigators for a number of hours on Tuesday, 28 Iyar 5774. The interrogation was interrupted as the rabbi was informed that his rebitzen was hospitalized. Magen David Adom was summoned during the afternoon hours to the Pinto home. The rebitzen was transported to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon where she was reported in light condition. The rav received the message after 10 hours of questioning and police agreed to permit him to leave to tend to his wife. It is reported the rav’s attorney reached an understanding with the prosecutor that the rabbi will provide information in the bribery case involving former senior police commander Menashe Arbiv. It is reported that Rabbi Pinto, who is also suspected of criminal activity, has agreed to testify in exchange for a lighter sentence. He is essentially agreeing to become a state witness against the former police commander. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The media is reporting that Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto is on the verge of closing a deal with the state prosecutor that will result in a less severe indictment against him. The deal reported will compel the rabbi to face charges of bribing senior police officer Brigadier-General Ephraim Bracha but some of the other charges will be omitted. The deal also includes a paragraph that the state will only seek a brief jail term if he is convicted, and that the defense attorney will seek probation without any jail time. It also permits Rebitzen Pinto to escape without an indictment against her despite reports she was allegedly a major player in illegal activities. If the state decides to indict Ephraim Arbiv, the former commander of Israel’s FBI, Israel Police 433 Unit, who was compelled to step down due to allegations against him in the Pinto affair, then Rabbi Pinto may enjoy additional deal-making in exchange for testimony against Arbiv. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The former Commander of Israel Police’s 433 Unit, known as Israel’s FBI, Menashe Arbiv, is on the offensive against Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. Arbiv had to resign his senior Israel Police post amid reports of accepting bribes in connection to Rabbi Pinto. Arbiv continues to adamantly deny the allegations made against him by Rabbi Pinto, stating the rav is lying to save his own skin. Arbiv plans to file a complaint with police against the rabbi alleging some of the documents presented to police and the attorney general by Rabbi Pinto are simply forgeries, fabricated evidence in the hope of saving himself from a multi-count criminal indictment. Allegations against Arbiv include the time period he was serving as the Israel Police attaché to Washington, DC. Rav Pinto has submitted hotel receipts showing Arbiv and his family were guests in the Metro Hotel in New York City, which is owned by a close associate of the rabbi. Arbiv maintains the bills submitted to authorities to document his free nights in a penthouse in the hotel were fabricated. He denies that he received a significant discount purchasing a luxury Tel Aviv apartment because the developer is close to Rabbi Pinto, adding he pays rent and never purchased a Tel Aviv apartment. Arbiv has also submitted the results of a polygraph test taken by his son Tzachi attesting to the fact that he never received a credit card or monthly monetary assistance from Rabbi Pinto as the rabbi alleges. He rejects the rabbi assisted in arranging Tzachi’s visa status with American officials as well. Arbiv’s attorneys sent a letter containing their client’s counter-charges seeking to have Rabbi Pinto returned to Israel. They explain the rabbi’s presence outside of the country permits him to interfere and sabotage the police investigation against him. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

About a week after former commander of Israel Police’s 433 Unit Menashe Arbiv resigned amid a cloud of bribery allegations, the Jerusalem Magistrate Court on Sunday morning 16 Adar I 5774 lifted a gag order prohibiting publication of the alleged bribes received by the former commander of the Israeli FBI. Arbiv apparently received the bribes during his tenure as Israel Police attaché to Washington DC, including assistance in arranging a proper visa for his son in the USA as well as $2,400 monthly, which persons close to Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto Shlita say the son needed due to his difficult financial situation as Arbiv led them to believe was the case. According to Bentzion Suki, a close associate of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto Shlita, this and more is documented in emails, including one by the son thanking the rabbi for his assistance. Suki adds that Rabbi Pinto used his influence to arrange a discount amounting to 700,000 NIS for Arbiv, who purchased an apartment in N. Tel Aviv from a land developer who is close to the rabbi. Suki adds that Arbiv received many free stays in New York City’s Metro Hotel, as he is one of the owners. Associates of Rabbi Pinto tell the media the rav feels like he has been played by state legal officials as they signaled that they wished to cut an immunity deal with the rabbi in exchange for information against Arbiv. In actuality, they build their case against Arbiv with the evidence presented by the rabbi, who is now likely to face a multi-count criminal indictment. They are angry that the rav’s Shuvu Yisrael network is being dragged through the mud, as if the rav used tzedaka money for personal gain, denying all allegations. “The rav survived serious illness and he is strong, firm and determined to survive this affair to empower all of Israel” Shuvu Yisrael officials told the media. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)