Former Jerusalem Tax Official Fully Acquitted of Fraud and Breach of Trust
Gil Avrahamof, a former Jerusalem tax official, has been completely acquitted of fraud and breach of trust after a five-year legal battle, leading the Civil Service Commission to lift his suspension.
A five-year legal battle ended with the complete acquittal of Gil Avrahamof, a former senior tax official in Jerusalem, who had been accused of fraud and breach of trust. Jerusalem Magistrate Court Judge Havi Toker criticized the prosecution and the testimony of the restaurant owner who had served as a state witness, ruling that mere appearance of conflict of interest is insufficient to establish a criminal offense.
The case began when an investigation was launched following a complaint by the restaurant owner, who was facing a tax assessment of approximately four million shekels. The state witness claimed that Avrahamof received VIP treatment, food deliveries, and gifts while his tax file was being handled. However, the court found that the prosecution's arguments—alternating between allegations of a close personal relationship and claims of extortion—lacked coherence and evidentiary support.
Judge Toker emphasized that the state failed to prove that Avrahamof actively managed the restaurant's tax file, received illicit benefits, or maintained an improper conflict of interest. The court noted that Avrahamof paid for the services he received, and customary hospitality offered to regular patrons did not constitute a criminal offense. The judge further noted that even if a conflict of interest had been established, the prosecution failed to demonstrate an aggravating factor such as an actual deviation from standard procedures.
Following the acquittal, the Civil Service Commission announced that Avrahamof's suspension would be lifted, and the Israel Tax Authority would restore his rights for the suspension period. Defense attorneys Amit Bechor and Lilach Michelstein welcomed the decision, stating that Avrahamof was the victim of a false accusation and deserved full reinstatement and compensation for years of hardship.
