Last update - 00:00 17/06/2007
Police grill politico Uzi Cohen over suspected kickbacks, fraud
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Police on Sunday grilled Ra'anana Deputy Mayor Uzi Cohen over suspicions of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust.
According to suspicions, the Likud politician built a number of extensions to his house without acquiring permits while he was a member of the municipal city planning committee.
In addition, police suspect he failed to pay municipal taxes or fees for a number of years and issued business permits in return for spoils.
Last November, fraud squad officers raided Cohen's offices in Ra'anana and confiscated a number of files.
The raid was part of an on-going investigation against Cohen over illegally issuing building permits, legalizing existing buildings without permits and improper use of municipal facilities for private purposes.
As a prominent member of the powerful Likud Central Committee, Cohen's support is often courted by politicans who wish to become party leaders.
Cohen became a household name a few years ago after he was spoofed on 'A Wonderful Country,' a prime-time satiricial television show on Channel 2 Television.