Shlomi Lahyani returns to politics in Bat Yam (Photo: documentation on social networks according to section 27A of the Copyright Law)
Shlomi Lahyani announced his run for mayor. 7 years after he was released from the gates of Hermon Prison, after serving half a year in prison, following an early release by the IPS parole board, contrary to the position of the State Prosecutor's Office.
Lahyani was convicted of breach of trust. The original indictment against Lahyani also included two charges of bribery, but as part of the plea bargain agreed in September 2014, one of them was dropped and the other – which relates to receiving a bank check from business owners in the city as a "loan" – also became an offense of fraud and breach of trust. The court convicted Lehyani and he was sentenced to 8 months' imprisonment, which was reduced by three months.
Now Lahyani announces his return to political life at the end of the 7-year period of disgrace imposed on him, along with Yossi Bachar, the mayor who lost the last elections, announced his run for mayor against Zvika Brut.
Former Bat Yam Mayor Shlomi Lahyani is released from prison May 13, 2016 (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)
Lahyani refers to the affair for which he was convicted
"In 2003 I was elected mayor of Bat Yam and began the most important and beautiful period of my professional life, in which I had the privilege of serving you with dedication and love as mayor.
During my first year in office, I received loans from friends, some of whom were municipal employees and some of whom were businessmen in the city. These loans put me in a situation of conflict of interest, which is prohibited by law! All the loans were reported and the police investigation revealed that I did nothing for them. For this I was convicted of breach of trust without fraud (the whole loan issue was reported and not hidden) and sentenced to 8 months in prison and disgrace which kept me away from public service for 7 years.
I emphasize that I have never taken or been accused of stealing a single shekel from the public purse. The judges of the first instance thought that there was no reason to sentence me to prison, but the State Attorney's Office appealed to the District Court, which sentenced me to 8 months to be served. I took responsibility, learned the lessons and put the unfortunate event behind me.
"Here I was born, here I had my children, here I built my home with both hands." As the song says for me, Bat Yam is love, family, friends and acquaintances who smile at me all my life: the most beautiful beach and especially people who create exciting and joyful human warmth! For their sake, I wish to return to my quarry for public action.
Every election campaign was exciting. You always came with them and chose me to continue the work, despite all the talk and problems, you believed in me and trembled my soul with your love. With you, we won time after time, and for my part, I gave my all to help and promote the city and every citizen of it with joy and love. Unfortunately the city is not in the state I left it in - and not for the better.
All this, alongside of course the residents of Bat Yam, who ask at every opportunity that I return, made me offer myself again to serve the public.Therefore, together with many friends and lovers and with great love, I announce my candidacy for mayor of Bat Yam."
- local
- Elections 2023
Tags
- Bat Yam
