Tycoon Packer grilled over Netanyahu graft probe

pulse

December 1, 2017 2:49 AM

Billionaire James Packer has been questioned by police in Australia over a corruption probe involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy supporters.

The mogul, who runs the Crown gaming empire and reportedly has a close relationship with Netanyahu, voluntarily attended an interview with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), a police spokesman said Friday, without specifying when the interview took place.

"Mr Packer participated in the interview on a voluntary basis as a witness for an investigation being conducted by Israeli authorities," the spokesman said.

Packer, who recently split up with American singer Mariah Carey, was not suspected of criminal conduct in either Israel or Australia, he added.

Netanyahu has so far been questioned six times over two alleged cases of corruption.

One of those whom he is accused of accepting gifts from is Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, a Packer business partner, who reportedly sent boxes of expensive cigars and other items worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Israeli media has said police were looking at whether Packer split the cost of gifts with Milchan.

The Australian also reportedly paid for luxury hotel accommodation for Netanyahu's son Yair, and gave the Israeli leader's wife Sara 10 tickets to a concert by then-girlfriend Carey.

The second affair over which Netanyahu has faced police questioning involves suspicions he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.

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