The Sharon family is suspected of false accounting and reporting, and tax evasion through a straw company.
Tax authorities in Israel and the US have opened an investigation against the family of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The investigation involves suspected false accounting and reporting, and tax evasion by companies owned by the Sharon family, through which Knesset election donations were transferred. The alleged tax evasion is estimated in the millions of shekels, according to a report by reporter Israel Segal on Channel 2.
It is suspected that funds raised overseas were falsely recorded under the signature of the CEO of Annex, a straw company. Evidence obtained by the police raises suspicions of forgery against Knesset member Omri Sharon, the prime minister’s son. Among other things, Omri Sharon is suspected of signing checks for Annex, without being authorized to do so.
The tax authorities and the police have confirmed that they are investigating.
Omri Sharon declined to respond.
Hebrew daily “Maariv” reports on its Internet site that the Income Tax Commission denies that any investigation against the Sharon family is taking place.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 24, 2004