The Histadrut National Workers Federation (NWF) has ordered the firing of a senior employee who disclosed information that led to the indictment of former Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson, on suspicion of fraud involving a union fund, as well as other charges.
The government watchdog group Ometz has filed an appeal with State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss to prevent the union from firing the woman.
Ometz attorney Aryeh Avneri said in a letter to Lindenstrauss, a retired justice, that the worker should be supported for her efforts.
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced late last month that Hirschson would face criminal charges on allegations of having embezzled some NIS 14 million from Nili, a nonprofit organization owned by the NWF from 1998-2005.
The former Finance Minister was the group’s chairman for much of that time. The organization is separate from and has no connection with the Histadrut national labor union.
The allegations include theft, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and forging documents. Hirschson has denied the charges.
Chief Prosecutor Eran Shendar decided with the Tel Aviv Prosecutor’s Office earlier in the month not to indict the former Finance Minister, despite a statement by police that enough evidence existed to compile a formal charge sheet. The Attorney General reversed the decision.
A formal indictment is conditional on the results of a formal hearing by the Attorney General, said the Justice Ministry.