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.]