The Israel Police today arrested Petah Tikva Mayor Yitzhak Ohayon, Deputy Mayor Urial Busso, and other officials on charges of receiving and giving bribes, fraudulent receiving, and violations of the Prohibition of Money Laundering Law.

The Police suspect that the officials took bribes during the mayoral elections in November 2008, as well as afterwards. The investigation into corruption at the Petah Tikva Municipality went on for several weeks before today’s raids. The police seized documents and other intelligence material, and took the officials to the National Fraud Unit headquarters in Lod for questioning.

In 2008, the Police investigated allegations of improper appointments at the Petah Tikva Municipality. A year earlier, Ohayon was investigated for alleged fraud and breach of trust in his capacity as chairman of the Petah Tikva Local Planning and Building Commission.

The Police also investigated Ohayon for alleged immoral misconduct against two Petah Tikva Municipality employees, but closed the case for lack of evidence.

Ohayon and the other officials were brought before the Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court to extend their remand.

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(Source: Globes)