19 jan 2014
Pinto speaks out after learning fraud squad commander testified against him in his own internal investigation for corruption
A US and Israel-based rabbi at the center of an investigation for corruption initially uncovered by the FBI has now broken his silence on his ties to a senior fraud squad police officer accused of bribe-taking, Ynet has learned.
Last Wednesday, a gag order was lifted on an internal police investigation into suspicions that police officers - including Commander Menashe Arbiv, the head of the Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit - had over the years been enjoying "benefits" from Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto.
According to information received by Ynet, Pinto has now given Israel Police his own version of events they had previously heard from Arbiv. Pinto spoke out after learning that Arbiv had told police that the rabbi's associates had asked for information regarding an investigation into Pinto's Jerusalem-based Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
Until recently, Pinto and Arbiv were known to have close ties. Even after Pinto was arrested on suspicion of trying to bribe the head of the national unit for fraud investigation and Arbiv's superior, Brigadier General Ephraim Bracha, Pinto never spoke about his relationship with Arbiv. The rabbi always claimed that a "senior officer" who knew the real details of the Bracha affair would tell the truth, exonerating him.
But in a recent investigation, Pinto was questioned about claims made against him by Arbiv regarding the non-profit probe. Upon receiving a copy of the indictment against Pinto, the rabbi's confidantes realized that apart from the Bracha affair, the rabbi is expected to face further police action, after Arbiv testified that the rabbi had sought details concerning the investigation into the non-profit organization.
"That's what finally broke the rabbi, and so he agreed to speak out against Arbiv," said sources familiar with the case. Following the incident, Pinto's defense attorneys traveled to the US, where they received information from sources close to the rabbi detailing the "benefits" Arbiv had received from Pinto's associates.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein also referred publicly to the affair today, for the first time. Speaking before the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Weinstein said that the affair was being investigated, and expressed the hope that "we will serve the public interest in the best way possible."
Meanwhile, the Police Investigations Unit (PIU) has completed the first phase of its own investigation into Arbiv, relying in part on three separate testimonies that back up Pinto's own claims.
The PIU was expected Sunday to complete its initial study of materials related to the Arbiv affair, prior to a critical meeting between Weinstein and Arbiv's lawyers. The PIU and the Attorney General were expected to request that Pinto's lawyers hand over all the materials they have on the matter, so that they can begin a criminal investigation and obtain a full picture of the case.
The police are also expected to hold negotiations with Pinto's lawyers on what they are willing to give in exchange for the probe into Arbiv. If the representatives from the prosecutor's office stand their ground, and insist on filing charges against the rabbi, his defense attorneys will not allow the prosecution to use evidence they have. This turn of events could pose a problem for the PIU in as their investigation into Arbiv progresses.
In recent days, a representative for Arbiv said that he plans to return to his post in the coming week. But as things stand now, Arbiv, who took a leave of absence after the details of the affair began to emerge last week, is unlikely to return to the police force in the near future.
A US and Israel-based rabbi at the center of an investigation for corruption initially uncovered by the FBI has now broken his silence on his ties to a senior fraud squad police officer accused of bribe-taking, Ynet has learned.
Last Wednesday, a gag order was lifted on an internal police investigation into suspicions that police officers - including Commander Menashe Arbiv, the head of the Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit - had over the years been enjoying "benefits" from Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto.
According to information received by Ynet, Pinto has now given Israel Police his own version of events they had previously heard from Arbiv. Pinto spoke out after learning that Arbiv had told police that the rabbi's associates had asked for information regarding an investigation into Pinto's Jerusalem-based Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
Until recently, Pinto and Arbiv were known to have close ties. Even after Pinto was arrested on suspicion of trying to bribe the head of the national unit for fraud investigation and Arbiv's superior, Brigadier General Ephraim Bracha, Pinto never spoke about his relationship with Arbiv. The rabbi always claimed that a "senior officer" who knew the real details of the Bracha affair would tell the truth, exonerating him.
But in a recent investigation, Pinto was questioned about claims made against him by Arbiv regarding the non-profit probe. Upon receiving a copy of the indictment against Pinto, the rabbi's confidantes realized that apart from the Bracha affair, the rabbi is expected to face further police action, after Arbiv testified that the rabbi had sought details concerning the investigation into the non-profit organization.
"That's what finally broke the rabbi, and so he agreed to speak out against Arbiv," said sources familiar with the case. Following the incident, Pinto's defense attorneys traveled to the US, where they received information from sources close to the rabbi detailing the "benefits" Arbiv had received from Pinto's associates.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein also referred publicly to the affair today, for the first time. Speaking before the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Weinstein said that the affair was being investigated, and expressed the hope that "we will serve the public interest in the best way possible."
Meanwhile, the Police Investigations Unit (PIU) has completed the first phase of its own investigation into Arbiv, relying in part on three separate testimonies that back up Pinto's own claims.
The PIU was expected Sunday to complete its initial study of materials related to the Arbiv affair, prior to a critical meeting between Weinstein and Arbiv's lawyers. The PIU and the Attorney General were expected to request that Pinto's lawyers hand over all the materials they have on the matter, so that they can begin a criminal investigation and obtain a full picture of the case.
The police are also expected to hold negotiations with Pinto's lawyers on what they are willing to give in exchange for the probe into Arbiv. If the representatives from the prosecutor's office stand their ground, and insist on filing charges against the rabbi, his defense attorneys will not allow the prosecution to use evidence they have. This turn of events could pose a problem for the PIU in as their investigation into Arbiv progresses.
In recent days, a representative for Arbiv said that he plans to return to his post in the coming week. But as things stand now, Arbiv, who took a leave of absence after the details of the affair began to emerge last week, is unlikely to return to the police force in the near future.
17 jan 2014
More witnesses to testify in Rabbi Pinto graft affair, including mystery forth man. Meanwhile, Ynet reviews the main protagonist in complex story which ties together a rabbi, a congressman and porn distributer
Additional witnesses will testify as part of the graft scandal that has rocked Israel's police.
Ynet has learned that three of the main witnesses have already given the police's internal affairs department their testimony, all of which apparently corroborated the claims made by Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto according to which he paid the head of the police's Lahav 443 anti-fraud unit Police Commander Menashe Arbiv large sums of money.
Ynet further learned that an additional person who is currently in the US is expected to give his account to the police, also in an attempt to confirm claims that Arbiv received benefits from Rabbi Pinto.
Until now, it was only known that the wealthy businessman Ben Zion Suky, who is a close affiliate of the rabbi and has recently arrived in Israel from the US, corroborated Pinto's version of the events. Suky apparently admitted to passing the goods to Arbiv and his family. Friday it was revealed that Rabbi Pinto's version of the events does not hinge solely on Suky's testimony but also that of three additional people involved in the complicated scandal. The fourth man is currently in the US and it is possible that the he will be called in to testify as well.
A source close to the investigation says he also witnessed the alleged interactions in which Arbiv received the graft. It is worth noting that as part of the deal reached between State prosecutors and Pinto's lawyers, the testimonies can only be admitted with the rabbi's consent.
Arbiv claims innocence
Despite what seems to be a myriad of claims against him, Police Commander Arbiv maintains his innocence, claiming that all the allegations against him have already been investigated by the police and he was cleared of all wrongdoing.
Lawyer Gideon Fisher, who represents Arbiv claims that he petitioned the Attorney General's office to hold a special meeting next week in a bid to present all his counterclaims. According to Arbiv, some year and a half ago, before he was appointed the head of Lahav 443 – the police's fraud unit – he cut all ties he had with Rabbi Pinto. "All claims being made against me have already been examined before I was appointed head of Lahav 443," he said. While serving as the police's attaché in the US, his relations with the rabbi was revealed and examined by the Interior Security Ministry together with State prosecutors.
Visa fraud, a rabbi, a congress man & a porn distributer
The story's main protagonist are well known – Rabbi Pinto, Police Commander Arviv and Rep. Michael Grimm – but the middlemen could prove to be the most interesting in this extremely complicated story.
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after a blackmail complaint filed by Pinto forced the rabbi to testify against Michael Grimm, a New York Republican Congressman and a former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto.
Among the middle men already known is businessman Ben Zion Suky. Suky, 35, is an Israeli expat living in New York. He became religious a decade ago and grew increasingly close to Pinto, and soon became one of his chief benefactors. According to reports he even aided that rabbi in purchasing a building in New York.
In recent years he has taken part in events organized by the rabbi in which urges Israeli-American businessman to become more devote. Suky has already been in trouble in the past when he was sued for distributing porn illegally, and his production company troubles saw him in court no small amount of times. Suky has also said to have relations with Rep.
Grimm. In 2010, Suky and his wife gave Grimm's congress campaign $9,600, and the two were allegedly partners in a real-estate project which Suky headed. As part of an FBI investigation, Grimm was investigated regarding possible illegal campaign donations from Pinto affiliates, among others.
An additional name being thrown around regarding the story is Ofer Biton. In August 2012, the New York Times reported that Biton, who is a Pinto aide, was arrested in New York for visa fraud. Five months ago, 40-year-old Biton confessed and received three years probation. According to Pinto, Biton and other affiliates attempted to blackmail him.
Grimm stories
During Rep. Grimm's congressional race he allegedly raised some half a million dollars from Pinto – half of his overall donations, sparking the FBI's initial investigation.
Grimm, born in Brooklyn in 1970, grew up in Queens and enlisted in the US Marines. He fought in 1989 in the First Gulf War, afterwards graduating from university with degrees in accounting and law. He worked in an investment firm and was then hired by the FBI. He subsequently returned to the business world, and in 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a New York State Republican.
Grimm visited Israel several times, even meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
Grimm was supported by top Republicans in his election campaign, including former president George H.W. Bush and former presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Grimm was elected for a second time in 2012, but a New York Times report stained his victory.
The paper said that Grimm was in contact with Ofer Biton, one of Pinto's assistants, in order to raise money for his election from the rabbi's followers.
Grimm, it said, had good reason to turn to the popular rabbi since he needed a great deal of money. Pinto supplied the funds to the Republican incumbent, a Catholic who prays every Sunday in church.
Grimm was able to raise more than half a million dollars – which comprised half of his total fundraising for the election, the FBI revealed.
Biton is being investigated on the suspect of embezzling millions of dollars from Pinto's followers. The New York Times also reported that there were illegal donations that included cash transfers and straw companies. The followers said they gave the money because Biton said Pinto wanted his followers to donate to the politician.
Pinto's spokesman told the Times that the rabbi had met with Grimm but he wasn't aware of the donations. Biton outright denied any connection to raising funds for Grimm.
Despite the denials, the FBI's investigation brought to an arrest of Grimm's former girlfriend on charges of circumventing federal campaign laws to funnel money to Grimm, the New York Daily News reported.
During the FBI's investigation Pinto was asked to testify against Grimm, and as a result Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
Additional witnesses will testify as part of the graft scandal that has rocked Israel's police.
Ynet has learned that three of the main witnesses have already given the police's internal affairs department their testimony, all of which apparently corroborated the claims made by Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto according to which he paid the head of the police's Lahav 443 anti-fraud unit Police Commander Menashe Arbiv large sums of money.
Ynet further learned that an additional person who is currently in the US is expected to give his account to the police, also in an attempt to confirm claims that Arbiv received benefits from Rabbi Pinto.
Until now, it was only known that the wealthy businessman Ben Zion Suky, who is a close affiliate of the rabbi and has recently arrived in Israel from the US, corroborated Pinto's version of the events. Suky apparently admitted to passing the goods to Arbiv and his family. Friday it was revealed that Rabbi Pinto's version of the events does not hinge solely on Suky's testimony but also that of three additional people involved in the complicated scandal. The fourth man is currently in the US and it is possible that the he will be called in to testify as well.
A source close to the investigation says he also witnessed the alleged interactions in which Arbiv received the graft. It is worth noting that as part of the deal reached between State prosecutors and Pinto's lawyers, the testimonies can only be admitted with the rabbi's consent.
Arbiv claims innocence
Despite what seems to be a myriad of claims against him, Police Commander Arbiv maintains his innocence, claiming that all the allegations against him have already been investigated by the police and he was cleared of all wrongdoing.
Lawyer Gideon Fisher, who represents Arbiv claims that he petitioned the Attorney General's office to hold a special meeting next week in a bid to present all his counterclaims. According to Arbiv, some year and a half ago, before he was appointed the head of Lahav 443 – the police's fraud unit – he cut all ties he had with Rabbi Pinto. "All claims being made against me have already been examined before I was appointed head of Lahav 443," he said. While serving as the police's attaché in the US, his relations with the rabbi was revealed and examined by the Interior Security Ministry together with State prosecutors.
Visa fraud, a rabbi, a congress man & a porn distributer
The story's main protagonist are well known – Rabbi Pinto, Police Commander Arviv and Rep. Michael Grimm – but the middlemen could prove to be the most interesting in this extremely complicated story.
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after a blackmail complaint filed by Pinto forced the rabbi to testify against Michael Grimm, a New York Republican Congressman and a former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto.
Among the middle men already known is businessman Ben Zion Suky. Suky, 35, is an Israeli expat living in New York. He became religious a decade ago and grew increasingly close to Pinto, and soon became one of his chief benefactors. According to reports he even aided that rabbi in purchasing a building in New York.
In recent years he has taken part in events organized by the rabbi in which urges Israeli-American businessman to become more devote. Suky has already been in trouble in the past when he was sued for distributing porn illegally, and his production company troubles saw him in court no small amount of times. Suky has also said to have relations with Rep.
Grimm. In 2010, Suky and his wife gave Grimm's congress campaign $9,600, and the two were allegedly partners in a real-estate project which Suky headed. As part of an FBI investigation, Grimm was investigated regarding possible illegal campaign donations from Pinto affiliates, among others.
An additional name being thrown around regarding the story is Ofer Biton. In August 2012, the New York Times reported that Biton, who is a Pinto aide, was arrested in New York for visa fraud. Five months ago, 40-year-old Biton confessed and received three years probation. According to Pinto, Biton and other affiliates attempted to blackmail him.
Grimm stories
During Rep. Grimm's congressional race he allegedly raised some half a million dollars from Pinto – half of his overall donations, sparking the FBI's initial investigation.
Grimm, born in Brooklyn in 1970, grew up in Queens and enlisted in the US Marines. He fought in 1989 in the First Gulf War, afterwards graduating from university with degrees in accounting and law. He worked in an investment firm and was then hired by the FBI. He subsequently returned to the business world, and in 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a New York State Republican.
Grimm visited Israel several times, even meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
Grimm was supported by top Republicans in his election campaign, including former president George H.W. Bush and former presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Grimm was elected for a second time in 2012, but a New York Times report stained his victory.
The paper said that Grimm was in contact with Ofer Biton, one of Pinto's assistants, in order to raise money for his election from the rabbi's followers.
Grimm, it said, had good reason to turn to the popular rabbi since he needed a great deal of money. Pinto supplied the funds to the Republican incumbent, a Catholic who prays every Sunday in church.
Grimm was able to raise more than half a million dollars – which comprised half of his total fundraising for the election, the FBI revealed.
Biton is being investigated on the suspect of embezzling millions of dollars from Pinto's followers. The New York Times also reported that there were illegal donations that included cash transfers and straw companies. The followers said they gave the money because Biton said Pinto wanted his followers to donate to the politician.
Pinto's spokesman told the Times that the rabbi had met with Grimm but he wasn't aware of the donations. Biton outright denied any connection to raising funds for Grimm.
Despite the denials, the FBI's investigation brought to an arrest of Grimm's former girlfriend on charges of circumventing federal campaign laws to funnel money to Grimm, the New York Daily News reported.
During the FBI's investigation Pinto was asked to testify against Grimm, and as a result Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
16 jan 2014
Gag order lifted: FBI wiretap exposed suspected misconduct by senior policemen, politicians; FBI had bugged Rabbi Pinto as part of investigation into GOP congressman.
Israel Police is investigating senior officers on suspicion of accepting bribes from an influential Israeli rabbi, in a scandal involving the police, a former cabinet minister and even the FBI. The details of the investigation were released Thursday, after a sweeping gag order on the affair was lifted.
The case includes claims that the wife of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto handed a suitcase containing hundreds of thousands of shekels to the wife of senior Israel Police Brigadier General Ephraim Bracha, in return for information regarding an investigation into an association with which Pinto was involved.
Pinto is one of Israel’s most influential rabbis, acting as a spiritual adviser to numerous politicians and tycoons, and heads many education and welfare organizations.
Bracha, then head of investigations and currently the head of the national unit for fraud investigation, informed his superiors of the delivery over of the suitcase, noting that it was a bribe. The rabbi, however, insisted that he was only supporting Bracha, who had been in need of help.
Bracha's complaint prompted police to summon Pinto and draft an indictment, but proceedings were suspended due to new information.
In Wednesday's issue of a newsletter the rabbi releases periodically to his supporters, he wrote: "I will reveal my emotions before you. Dear brothers, this dark time forced upon us haunts us without us having committed any crime, and only due to narrow-minded and cruel considerations of those who use scare tactics."
The only senior police officer whose name is actually mentioned in a statement issued by the Justice Ministry regarding the investigation is Commander Menashe Arviv.
The Israel Police department of internal affairs stated that, "a probe was recently launched regarding officer Menashe Arviv, following information handed several weeks ago to the attorney general and the state prosecutor, attributing bribery felonies to sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto. At this stage, Arviv has yet to be questioned."
The Justice Ministry also stressed that, "in investigating Rabbi Pinto, there is no basis for suspicion of criminal misconduct by Ephraim Bracha, and that remains to be true."
After meeting with Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino, Arviv also denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he is being unjustly accused.
"This is a false accusation and damaging to my reputation," Arviv said. "I believe that the investigation will be carried out quickly and effectively, and that at its conclusion my good name will be restored."
Following the publication of the investigation, Arviv decided to suspend himself until conclusion of legal proceedings. Danino himself has called for caution in condemning Arviv.
"It would be wise to let the authorities do their utmost before sentencing a man," the police chief said. "As we have proven in the past, the police do not compromise on values and principles, but we must keep in mind that this is an early stage of the investigation, and the police officer is entitled to the presumption of innocence."
Some of the new information that changed the nature of the probe suggested that Arviv had received bribes from Pinto when the former was working in the US. Arviv denied the allegations, insisting that none of the actions attributed to him had taken place, and that it was "the gossip of narrow-minded individuals."
FBI investigation
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after a blackmail complaint filed by Pinto forced the rabbi to testify against Michael Grimm, a New York Republican Congressman and a former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto.
Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
Pinto says the FBI was informed of the suitcase with money that was given to Bracha, as part of the bureau's surveillance. Further investigation apparently yielded information regarding other senior Israeli police officers who had visited the rabbi and received benefits from him.
According to Pinto's associates, one of the FBI's recordings has led to a religious figure closely affiliated to several police officials, who had approached Pinto himself, offering to "dissolve" the investigation against him in exchange for money.
In the last 24 hours, an FBI representative landed in Israel together with recordings, documents, copies of emails, and other materials that allegedly confirm the claims of Rabbi Pinto in regards to his link to the senior police officers.
However, it appears that the FBI is furious with the Israeli police, insisting there are officers who compromised the investigation against Grimm by tarnishing Pinto. It is at this stage that a former senior Israeli cabinet minister becomes involved, who Pinto claims was one of those who asked the rabbi to "lay off" his testimony against Grimm. It is unclear to what extent the investigators will focus on this claim, but sources familiar with Pinto's businesses dealings have stated in the past that, "If this can of worms is opened, many Israeli officials will be embarrassed by the results."
The entire sequence of events has been under a gag order in recent weeks, which was lifted by Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning upon the request of Ynet and other media outlets. On Wednesday, it was announced that the case is to be discussed by a Knesset subcommittee that oversees the Israel Police. Senior police officers are expected to be summoned, including, according to reports, Danino himself.
The Israel Police issued a statement Wednesday urging media to avoid from insinuating that police officials had been involved any criminal misconduct, warning "vague publications maneuvering the limitation of gag orders produce unrealistic generalizations."
"The Israeli police comprises some 30,000 policemen and women who are devoted, determined and loyal in serving the public. "Israel Police would like to clarify to the public that no specific incident, as we have proven in the past, can tarnish an entire organization… It would be best if authorities could issue statements when the time comes, and avoid unnecessary rumor-mongering."
Related stories:
Israel Police is investigating senior officers on suspicion of accepting bribes from an influential Israeli rabbi, in a scandal involving the police, a former cabinet minister and even the FBI. The details of the investigation were released Thursday, after a sweeping gag order on the affair was lifted.
The case includes claims that the wife of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto handed a suitcase containing hundreds of thousands of shekels to the wife of senior Israel Police Brigadier General Ephraim Bracha, in return for information regarding an investigation into an association with which Pinto was involved.
Pinto is one of Israel’s most influential rabbis, acting as a spiritual adviser to numerous politicians and tycoons, and heads many education and welfare organizations.
Bracha, then head of investigations and currently the head of the national unit for fraud investigation, informed his superiors of the delivery over of the suitcase, noting that it was a bribe. The rabbi, however, insisted that he was only supporting Bracha, who had been in need of help.
Bracha's complaint prompted police to summon Pinto and draft an indictment, but proceedings were suspended due to new information.
In Wednesday's issue of a newsletter the rabbi releases periodically to his supporters, he wrote: "I will reveal my emotions before you. Dear brothers, this dark time forced upon us haunts us without us having committed any crime, and only due to narrow-minded and cruel considerations of those who use scare tactics."
The only senior police officer whose name is actually mentioned in a statement issued by the Justice Ministry regarding the investigation is Commander Menashe Arviv.
The Israel Police department of internal affairs stated that, "a probe was recently launched regarding officer Menashe Arviv, following information handed several weeks ago to the attorney general and the state prosecutor, attributing bribery felonies to sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto. At this stage, Arviv has yet to be questioned."
The Justice Ministry also stressed that, "in investigating Rabbi Pinto, there is no basis for suspicion of criminal misconduct by Ephraim Bracha, and that remains to be true."
After meeting with Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino, Arviv also denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he is being unjustly accused.
"This is a false accusation and damaging to my reputation," Arviv said. "I believe that the investigation will be carried out quickly and effectively, and that at its conclusion my good name will be restored."
Following the publication of the investigation, Arviv decided to suspend himself until conclusion of legal proceedings. Danino himself has called for caution in condemning Arviv.
"It would be wise to let the authorities do their utmost before sentencing a man," the police chief said. "As we have proven in the past, the police do not compromise on values and principles, but we must keep in mind that this is an early stage of the investigation, and the police officer is entitled to the presumption of innocence."
Some of the new information that changed the nature of the probe suggested that Arviv had received bribes from Pinto when the former was working in the US. Arviv denied the allegations, insisting that none of the actions attributed to him had taken place, and that it was "the gossip of narrow-minded individuals."
FBI investigation
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after a blackmail complaint filed by Pinto forced the rabbi to testify against Michael Grimm, a New York Republican Congressman and a former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Rabbi Pinto.
Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
Pinto says the FBI was informed of the suitcase with money that was given to Bracha, as part of the bureau's surveillance. Further investigation apparently yielded information regarding other senior Israeli police officers who had visited the rabbi and received benefits from him.
According to Pinto's associates, one of the FBI's recordings has led to a religious figure closely affiliated to several police officials, who had approached Pinto himself, offering to "dissolve" the investigation against him in exchange for money.
In the last 24 hours, an FBI representative landed in Israel together with recordings, documents, copies of emails, and other materials that allegedly confirm the claims of Rabbi Pinto in regards to his link to the senior police officers.
However, it appears that the FBI is furious with the Israeli police, insisting there are officers who compromised the investigation against Grimm by tarnishing Pinto. It is at this stage that a former senior Israeli cabinet minister becomes involved, who Pinto claims was one of those who asked the rabbi to "lay off" his testimony against Grimm. It is unclear to what extent the investigators will focus on this claim, but sources familiar with Pinto's businesses dealings have stated in the past that, "If this can of worms is opened, many Israeli officials will be embarrassed by the results."
The entire sequence of events has been under a gag order in recent weeks, which was lifted by Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning upon the request of Ynet and other media outlets. On Wednesday, it was announced that the case is to be discussed by a Knesset subcommittee that oversees the Israel Police. Senior police officers are expected to be summoned, including, according to reports, Danino himself.
The Israel Police issued a statement Wednesday urging media to avoid from insinuating that police officials had been involved any criminal misconduct, warning "vague publications maneuvering the limitation of gag orders produce unrealistic generalizations."
"The Israeli police comprises some 30,000 policemen and women who are devoted, determined and loyal in serving the public. "Israel Police would like to clarify to the public that no specific incident, as we have proven in the past, can tarnish an entire organization… It would be best if authorities could issue statements when the time comes, and avoid unnecessary rumor-mongering."
Related stories:
- Rabbi Pinto questioned over bribery allegations
- Rich and famous flock to wonder rabbi
- Rabbi Pinto aide arrested in NYC
- Rabbi Pinto aide arrested in NYC over immigration fraud
- Rabbis blow shofar against Iran
- Israel's richest rabbis become savvy businessmen
- US: Plea bargain for 'The Analyzer'
Fraud in rabbinic ordination tests - Israeli hacker suspected of involvement in major fraud case
Michael Grimm and Benjamin Netanyahu
FBI investigation puts Republican congressman with assistant of influential Rabbi Pinto; assistant now facing embezzlement charges
An FBI investigation into Republican Congressman Michael Grimm's campaign finances ties him to Israeli Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto through donations of more than half a million dollars, and has also led to suspicions of senior Israeli police officers accepting bribes from Pinto.
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after Pinto filed a blackmail complaint resulting the rabbi having to testify against Grimm, the New York Republican Congressman and former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Pinto.
Grimm, born in Brooklyn in 1970, grew up in Queens and enlisted in the US Marines. He fought in 1989 in the First Gulf War, afterwards graduating from university with degrees in accounting and law.
He worked in an investment firm and was then hired by the FBI. He subsequently returned to the business world, and in 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a New York State Republican.
Grimm visited Israel several times, even meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
Grimm was supported by top Republicans in his election campaign, including former president George H.W. Bush and former presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Grimm was elected for a second time in 2012, but a New York Times report stained his victory.
The paper said that Grimm was in contact with Ofer Biton, one of Pinto's assistants, in order to raise money for his election from the rabbi's followers.
Grimm, it said, had good reason to turn to the popular rabbi since he needed a great deal of money. Pinto supplied the funds to the Republican incumbent, a Catholic who prays every Sunday in church.
Grimm was able to raise more than half a million dollars – which comprised half of his total fundraising for the election, the FBI revealed.
Biton is being investigated on the suspect of embezzling millions of dollars from Pinto's followers. The New York Times also reported that there were illegal donations that included cash transfers and straw companies. The followers said they gave the money because Biton said Pinto wanted his followers to donate to the politician.
Pinto's spokesman told the Times that the rabbi had met with Grimm but he wasn't aware of the donations. Biton outright denied any connection to raising funds for Grimm.
Despite the denials, the FBI's investigation brought to an arrest of Grimm's former girlfriend on charges of circumventing federal campaign laws to funnel money to Grimm, the New York Daily News reported.
During the FBI's investigation Pinto was asked to testify against Grimm, and as a result Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
FBI investigation puts Republican congressman with assistant of influential Rabbi Pinto; assistant now facing embezzlement charges
An FBI investigation into Republican Congressman Michael Grimm's campaign finances ties him to Israeli Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto through donations of more than half a million dollars, and has also led to suspicions of senior Israeli police officers accepting bribes from Pinto.
The affair came to light due to an FBI wiretap agreed to by Pinto as part of a settlement with the bureau, after Pinto filed a blackmail complaint resulting the rabbi having to testify against Grimm, the New York Republican Congressman and former FBI agent.
Grimm was under investigation by the FBI for illegal donations to his 2010 election campaign. Some of the donations reportedly came from sources affiliated with Pinto.
Grimm, born in Brooklyn in 1970, grew up in Queens and enlisted in the US Marines. He fought in 1989 in the First Gulf War, afterwards graduating from university with degrees in accounting and law.
He worked in an investment firm and was then hired by the FBI. He subsequently returned to the business world, and in 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a New York State Republican.
Grimm visited Israel several times, even meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
Grimm was supported by top Republicans in his election campaign, including former president George H.W. Bush and former presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Grimm was elected for a second time in 2012, but a New York Times report stained his victory.
The paper said that Grimm was in contact with Ofer Biton, one of Pinto's assistants, in order to raise money for his election from the rabbi's followers.
Grimm, it said, had good reason to turn to the popular rabbi since he needed a great deal of money. Pinto supplied the funds to the Republican incumbent, a Catholic who prays every Sunday in church.
Grimm was able to raise more than half a million dollars – which comprised half of his total fundraising for the election, the FBI revealed.
Biton is being investigated on the suspect of embezzling millions of dollars from Pinto's followers. The New York Times also reported that there were illegal donations that included cash transfers and straw companies. The followers said they gave the money because Biton said Pinto wanted his followers to donate to the politician.
Pinto's spokesman told the Times that the rabbi had met with Grimm but he wasn't aware of the donations. Biton outright denied any connection to raising funds for Grimm.
Despite the denials, the FBI's investigation brought to an arrest of Grimm's former girlfriend on charges of circumventing federal campaign laws to funnel money to Grimm, the New York Daily News reported.
During the FBI's investigation Pinto was asked to testify against Grimm, and as a result Pinto's agreement with the FBI required the rabbi's phone to be wiretapped, and for him to divulge any information regarding financial transactions associated with his Hazon Yeshaya non-profit organization.
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