David Sharan
Photo: Amit Sha'al
State witness transferred money to former PMO bureau chief through consulting firm
Miki Ganor, who represented German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp in submarines deal, transferred NIS 50,000 to strategic consultants Nati Mor and Tzachi Lieber, with Mor withdrawing NIS 30,000 that he allegedly gave as bribe to former PMO chief of staff David Sharan.
David Sharan, a former chief of staff at the Prime Minister's Office, received NIS 30,000 in cash from strategic consultants suspected of corruption in the submarine affair, Ynet learned on Wednesday.
State witness Miki Ganor represented German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp in deals to sell submarines and patrol ships to Israel for its navy, as well as a deal to build an ammonia factory.
Ganor told police he transferred the alleged bribe money through strategic consultants Nati Mor and Tzachi Lieber—who were arrested earlier this week—to Sharan.
Ganor, Mor and Sharan (Photos: Amit Shaal, Orel Cohen)
Ganor provided investigators with information about a money transfer of NIS 50,000 plus VAT he had done less than a year ago to the two's bank account, following which Mor withdrew NIS 30,000 in cash from the account and allegedly gave them to Sharan.
Similar money transfers were done in 2014, after Lieber introduced Ganor and Sharan.
Ganor told investigators he considered Sharan another figure who could help promote his own interests as a representative of ThyssenKrupp in deals for which Ganor was expected to pocket millions in commissions.
Mor denied the allegations that he transferred the money to Sharan, saying he withdrew the sum for his own personal uses as an advance to his salary.
Investigators then asked Mor why Ganor transferred the money to the consulting firm's bank account, to which he had no answer. "The one who brought Ganor to the office is my partner Lieber. Ask him, he managed (Ganor's) account."
Mor's lawyer, Uri Keinan, tried to convince the judge to release his client from custody. "The police are not providing any information that ties my client to the matter, claiming they are showing everything to the court. My client denies any connection to the suspicions against him, and I hope the police reach the obvious conclusion that he is not involved at all," Keinan said.
Despite this, Mor's remand was extended by five days, with the judge noting there are "developments that strengthen the suspicions against him."
Lieber is scheduled to remain in custody until Thursday. His lawyer, Yair Regev, said in response, "We regret the fact the Investigations Unit chooses to release on bail the important suspects with the senior positions, while the minor suspects, who are not public servants, are kept in custody to pressure them to give the version they want. Ganor asked for the services of the consulting firm and paid them around NIS 100,000 for the consulting they provided. Taxes were paid and invoices were filed."
Sharan's lawyer declined to comment.
