Israeli court convicts Netanyahu's wife of misusing state funds

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara on Sunday was convicted of misusing state funds and sentenced to pay 5,5000 new shekels (1,5275 U.S. dollars).

The Jerusalem Magistrate Court accepted a plea bargain signed between Sara Netanyahu and the State Attorney's Office.

Under the deal, Sara admitted lesser charges and was convicted of receiving something by intentionally exploiting another person's mistake.

The 5,5000 new shekels consists of 45,000 new shekels in repayment and a fine of 10,000 new shekels.

Sara Netanyahu, 60, was originally charged with fraud, aggravated fraud and breach of trust.

According to her original charge sheet, she fraudulently obtaining some 100,000 dollars of public funds for hundreds of meals which were supplied by well-known restaurants and chefs to the official prime minister's residency in Jerusalem while falsely stating that there were no cooks at home.

Her lawyers said Sara was unaware of the regulations that forbid her to do so and the meals were ordered by an aide to serve visiting officials.

This case has drawn public attention to the long trail of criminal investigations and scandals involving the Netanyahus.

Long-time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is entangled in a series of criminal corruption investigations while he denies any wrongdoing, saying "the investigations are part of witch-hunt orchestrated by the leftist media and political enemies."