Sara Netanyahu indicted for misusing funds to purchase gourmet food

Sara Netanyahu indicted for misusing funds to purchase gourmet food: Mandelblit filed an indictment against the prime minister's wife for fraudulently charging the state for gourmet meals.

The prime minister’s wife was indicted for fraud under aggravated circumstances and breach of public trust in what has been billed as the “Prepared Food Affair.”

Her attorneys have tried in recent months to reach a settlement that would avoid criminal indictmentbut include the return of the funds.

The State Attorney’s Office rejected the proposal, arguing that returning funds allegedly obtained through illegal channels is not sufficient punishment for someone suspected of systematically defrauding the state.

A pre-indictment hearing in January, when Netanyahu’s lawyers asked Mandelblit to reverse his preliminary decision in September 2017 to indict her, also had failed to sway him, though Mandelblit issued a statement at the time that he “had an open mind” to their arguments.