Son Of Sefardi Haredi Leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Reportedly Under Criminal Investigation
Army Radio reported that Chief Rabbi of Holon Avraham Yosef is under investigation by the Fraud Squad of the Israel Police, apparently over an incident that took place four years ago for which a Labor Court has already found the younger Yosef – who is a candidate for Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel – liable.
Rabbi Avraham Yosef
Yeshiva World reports:
Israel Police is investigating Holon Chief Rabbi Avraham Yosef for alleged criminal activity, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reports in an exclusive story.
According to the report, Rav Yosef, a son of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita and a candidate to become the next Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel, fired a mashgiach for working against Shas in an election.
Police reportedly have a recording in which Rabbi Yosef says “You are looking to give my father a beating? Where do you get the chutzpah? The Gadol Hador stands before us and you are telling stories? I prohibit this!”
In the continuation of the recording Rav Avraham Yosef tells the employee that he is fired. “As of yesterday, you are unemployed. Go look for work by your father. He will provide you with a livelihood. Good bye and all the best”.
A labor court ruled in this matter four years ago, finding the rav acted inappropriately, demanding compensatory payment for the mashgiach. Police opened an investigation at the time, but it was abandoned soon thereafter.
Now, ahead of the Chief Rabbinate race, police appear to be gathering information as that case is being reopened. Galei Tzahal adds a person involved in the investigation has confirmed the facts of the story as they are presented, adding the matter is being handled by the department’s Fraud Division. Police declined comment on the actual case, the ongoing investigation, or if there are other suspicions against the rav at this time.
Rav Avraham Yosef preferred not to comment.
The younger Yosef also has other problematic issues, including troubling rulings against women.
[Hat Tip: Seymour.]
whats that saying about the apple and the tree? (rhetorical)
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | July 10, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Geez, is there any candidate for Chief Rabbi who isn't a no-goodnik?
Or is that redundant?
Posted by: Sarek | July 10, 2013 at 12:41 PM
Another one of the infamous Gedolim has been exposed. Wouldn't it be nice if we could zap these charlatans away to another planet?
Posted by: Chicago Sam | July 10, 2013 at 01:07 PM
What he did was wrong as found the by the Labor court.
It is strange that the police are investigating 4 years later.
Politics,politics,politics
Posted by: Jake | July 10, 2013 at 02:09 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if we could zap these charlatans away to another planet?
No, its better to lock them away in prison at hard labor with little or no contact with his followers. Let them come out of prison knowing it is not a paid vacation. Let them tell their followers of the horrors they experienced. A great line from the Shawshank Redemption: Cast him down with the sodomites. This is where the holier-than-thou belong, when they have used their power and cachet to enrich themselves.
Posted by: Alter Kocker | July 10, 2013 at 03:43 PM
At this rate it won't be long before they've worked their way down to FM readers in the search for candidates who aren't in jail or under indictment
Posted by: anuran | July 10, 2013 at 07:29 PM
Well said Alter, yes hard labor with no kosher food except for beans and dry bread would be a fitting punishment for these craven cowards and charlatans.
Posted by: Chicago Sam | July 11, 2013 at 07:08 PM