“I did not receive a bribe,” Bitan said. “I never received money in my roles in the city of Rishon Lezion, and anyone who says otherwise is lying.”
By GIL HOFFMANUpdated: AUGUST 29, 2018 02:19David Bitan in Knesset on February 5, 2018.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
The police’s Lahav 433 National Crime Unit questioned Likud MK David Bitan for more than five hours Tuesday at the unit’s headquarters in Lod, the ninth time he has been questioned on charges he received bribes when he was Rishon Lezion deputy mayor and as a Knesset member.Bitan is accused of helping businessmen win tenders and directing them to pay him via a friend who has turned state’s witness. Police told reporters that unlike the first times he was questioned, Bitan answered their questions and did not remain silent.The reason he was initially silent, Bitan has said, was that he was worried the police would leak his testimony to the press.Channel 10 reported that during Tuesday’s questioning, Bitan said he received money from the businessmen as a lawyer, a claim he had not made in the past.“I did not receive a bribe,” Bitan said. “I never received money in my roles in the city of Rishon Lezion, and anyone who says otherwise is lying.”When asked by reporters on the way out from his questioning how it went, he did not say it went well, as he has in the past.“It was questioning,” Bitan said. “I didn’t go there for a party.”Bitan is expected to be questioned soon for a 10th time.
