Kfar Saba Corruption Probe: Contractors Allege Systemic Bribery and Payoffs

Corruption Investigation in Kfar Saba

A former contractor who previously worked with the Kfar Saba municipality has made serious allegations regarding local business practices, speaking out amid the ongoing investigation into the "Derech HaKfar" corruption case. The contractor, who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, claimed that securing work in the city required informal financial arrangements.

"I don't work there anymore, but if I wanted to work, I would probably have to pay money to stay, and I was not ready for that," the contractor stated.

The high-profile investigation is being conducted by Lahav 433's national fraud unit (YAHAK). Investigators are probing eight sub-cases involving alleged bribery, municipal tenders, and urban renewal projects. At the center of the probe are allegations that business owners paid bribes to Meital Saar, the wife of Mayor Rafi Saar, in exchange for favorable municipal decisions.

Suspected Bribery and Extortion Methods

According to police, cash bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels were allegedly channeled through Meital Saar, while Mayor Rafi Saar is suspected of using his influence to advance these arrangements. Investigators also uncovered unusual methods for white-collar crimes, including suspected intimidation of competing bidders by criminal elements to force them out of tenders.

• School renovation contracts and summer maintenance works

• Concessions for food trucks in city parks

• Interests in urban renewal and real estate projects

Both the mayor and his wife deny all allegations. Meital Saar has largely remained silent during police interrogations, while her defense attorney cited her fragile mental state. Mayor Rafi Saar maintains he was entirely unaware of any illicit activities and stated that he never took a shekel for himself. Other key figures, including Economic Corporation CEO Sagi Chen, also deny wrongdoing as the investigation continues.