Channel 12 reports that the investigation of Chaim Biton, former CEO of the Ma'ayan HaChinuch HaTorani network, focuses on alleged misuse of funds for political purposes between 2018-2021. Biton is suspected of fraud, breach of trust, false registration, and money laundering, with the investigation nearing transfer to the prosecution.
Channel 12 reported Monday morning that the investigation into MK Haim Biton (Shas) centers on the period 2018–2021, when he served as CEO of the Ma'ayan HaChinuch HaTorani education network, with allegations that funds were diverted for political purposes. The report adds detail to an already extensive public record of the probe, which The Zioneer has been tracking since initial reports emerged at 09:51 Jerusalem.
The thread of disclosures began with ynet reporting that Biton was questioned under caution on suspicion of misusing education funds. Within minutes, N12 (Channel 12's news site) published a series of updates: first, that the suspicion involved using public funds for the Shas party newspaper 'Haderech'; then, that the probe also covered the children's supplement 'Avivim'; and later, that the investigation was being conducted by the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit and focused on Biton's tenure as network CEO. Subsequent reports expanded the allegations to include fraud, breach of trust, false registration, and money laundering, and stated that the probe was nearing transfer of materials to the State Attorney's Office for a charging decision. At 09:51, The Zioneer reported that Biton had been questioned for a second time by Lahav 433.
The investigation, as The Zioneer has reported, examines whether Biton used his position at the helm of the Ma'ayan HaChinuch HaTorani network to divert government-allocated education funds for political activities, including the financing of party publications. The network operates under the Shas-affiliated educational stream.
No formal statement has been issued by the police, the State Attorney's Office, or Biton's representatives. The investigation remains ongoing, with a decision on whether to file charges expected after the transfer of case materials to the prosecution.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake