Seven suspects have been arrested in a bribery scandal at the Israel Lands Authority (ILA), including four workers in the authority. The seven are accused of taking bribes or acting as agents to arrange bribery.
The suspects were implicated by evidence gathered in an undercover investigation. A police mole joined the office over the past year and worked closely with the suspects in order to gather information.
The undercover officer's involvement was released for publication on Thursday. The bribery scandal is the first known case in which police have sent an undercover officer to work in a government agency.
The suspects are accused of changing the recorded land area of properties in order to reduce tax rates, forging official seals and more. They are facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and aggravated forgery.
In addition, the four are accused of taking bribes, including both financial incentives and sexual favors. The bribes were arranged with the help of lawyers, police allege. The lawyers are among the seven detainees.
One of the other suspects is the head of a public authority. The Movement for Quality Government has demanded that the suspect be suspended from duty until the charges against him are resolved.
Judges have extended an order prohibiting the publication of the suspects' names and pictures.