Last update - 00:00 25/03/2007
Police close probe against Netanyahu for lack of evidence
By Haaretz Service
Police on Sunday decided to close its investigation against opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who was suspected of using government funds to finance a number of personal polls conducted on his behald. Police said the case was closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Netanyahu was questioned four months ago on suspicion of using Education Ministry funds to pay for dozens of surveys conducted for him personally by former ministry official Yaakov Katz, who is considered to be the Likud chairman's "personal pollster."
Meanwhile, police have recommended prosecuting Katz, a close adviser of Netanyahu who was questioned last April for alleged fraud and breach of trust in the affair. According to suspicions, Katz facilitated a personal survey institute during his tenure as pedagogical secretary for the Education Ministry, using ministry funds to finance the polls.
Katz was initially investigated by the state service commissioner after it became clear that he had conducted surveys on behalf of Netanyahu for his personal institute. The state commissioner transferred the case to the fraud unit to investigate any criminal aspects.