The Israel Police announced the conclusion of the covert and overt investigation conducted by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (YAHB) in Lahav 433 regarding former Acre Mayor Amichai Ben Shlosh. According to the police, following a review of the collected evidence, a sufficient evidentiary basis exists to file indictments against Ben Shlosh, his former deputy Itamar Sonino, and several other suspects involved in the affair. The allegations against Ben Shlosh include bribery, election bribery, and fraud and breach of trust.
According to police reports, the affair centered on conduct surrounding the local authority elections held in February 2024. It is suspected that figures in the municipal system at the time worked to secure Ben Shlosh's victory by granting favors and promising high-level public appointments in exchange for recruiting supporters. This legal development follows a prolonged period of legal and administrative proceedings surrounding the city's election results.
Within this framework, concerns arose that some votes were obtained through cash payments to residents recruited for this purpose, an activity attributed in civil court claims to "vote contractors" working for the candidate. The Haifa District Court addressed the issue following a lawsuit filed by former city manager Ohad Segev. During the civil proceeding, the court determined that there were illegal influences on the electorate that skewed the results, and therefore ordered them voided.
Although Ben Shlosh appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, the appeal was dismissed. Consequently, repeat elections were held in March 2026, in which Ben Shlosh was defeated and his term ended, with Ohad Segev elected to the position with approximately 60% of the vote. Now, following the conclusion of the police investigation, the State Attorney's Office is expected to review the findings to decide on filing a formal indictment. It is important to note that this is the stage of concluding an investigation and establishing an evidentiary basis as determined by the police, and no indictment has yet been filed with the court regarding the criminal offenses. In accordance with the presumption of innocence, all suspects are entitled to a fair trial, and the allegations against them have not yet been determined in criminal proceedings.