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)