Investigation ordered into Netanyahu financial misconduct

Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said Thursday he had ordered a preliminary investigation into reported fiscal misconduct at the private and state residences of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The announcement follows a scathing report by the State Comptroller, but the probe will not begin until after the March 17 elections.

He said however that the watchdog's findings, dealing with the official residence and  Netanyahu's private home, as well as the testimonies of a former employee at the residence, raised only 'mild' suspicions.

The reported misconduct at the residences of Netanyahu, who is campaigning for re-election next month, included mishandling of funds from recycled bottles by Netanyahu's wife Sarah, as well as the purchase of garden furniture for the weekend private residence.

The report also insinuated public fund misconduct in the employment of an electrician for their private home on weekends and holidays.