Olmert aide faces indictment in double-billing affair
Prosecution says has sufficient evidence to try Rachael Risby-Raz, who served as travel coordinator for former PM during his stint at Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry; 'As public servant she is held to higher standards,' State says
The State Prosecutor's Office on Monday announced its intent to file criminal charges in the Rishon Tours double-billing scandal against Rachael Risby-Raz, who served as former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's travel coordinator.
The double-billing case centers on suspicions that while Olmert was industry, trade and labor minister, he double billed trips abroad to Jewish institutions, pocketing the difference or financing trips for relatives.
Risby-Raz faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, falsifying corporate documents and receiving illegal benefits, to which an aggravated circumstances clause applies.
According to suspicions, Risby-Raz was an accessory to various fraudulent acts portrayed against both the State and various Jewish groups in the form of double and triple billing of trips overseas.
The prosecution said it did not accept Risby-Raz's arguments as stated in her Jerusalem District Court hearing in early June.
"There is sufficient evidence to prosecute Risby-Raz," said the prosecution, "she was a public servant and should therefore be held to higher standards than the average citizen. Furthermore, in our opinion her role in the affair was more significant than that of the other suspects in the case."
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz recently informed Risby-Raz that he was considering indicting her for fraud and breach of trust.
Mazuz previously informed Olmert of his plans to file criminal charges against him in the case in late November. Sources in the State Prosecutor's Office later said that the prosecution has a solid case against the prime minister, and more than enough evidence to secure a conviction.
