Last update - 00:00 26/07/2007
Tel Aviv judge takes leave of absence over suspected graft
By Roni Singer-Haruti, Haaretz Correspondent
Hours after being grilled by police, a Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court judge announced Thursday she would be taking a leave of absence due to graft suspicions against her.
Fraud squad investigators quizzed Judge Dalia Mark-Horenchick under caution over allegations she appointed lawyer friend Gad Frankel as a receiver in a series of cases in return for kickbacks.
Police arrested Frankel over a number of suspicions, including one that he embezzeled some NIS 3.8 million of funds entrusted in his care as a receiver, which he used to pay his mortgage and other personal debts. A Rishon Letzion Magistrate's Court extended his remands by six days.
Frankel has been suspected of other offenses in the past, and is currently undergoing hearings that may lead to his disbarment.
Though she was aware of his legal standing, Mark-Horenchick assigned Frankel as a reciever in cases under her care.
Police had received information by which Frankel sold an apartment below the market price. However, real estate experts consulted by police said apartments sold at the said price are not unheard of.
A gag order on the case has been imposed by a court since April.