Israel’s attorney general has ordered a criminal investigation into suspected mismanagement in the running of the residences of the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu.
A report by Israel’s state auditor covering 2009-2013 said some of the taxpayer-funded running costs at the prime minister’s official and private residences were unreasonably high and called for steps to improve efficiency.
A justice ministry statement said the attorney general, Yehuda Weinstein, had adopted a police recommendation to investigate “a number of matters concerning the running of the prime minister’s residences”.
“We cannot elaborate on what investigative actions have been taken or will be taken … [or] who will be invited for questioning,” the statement said.The statement mentioned no names and a source at the state attorney’s office said there were no plans to call in Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, for questioning, although this could not be ruled out later.