Jewish financier Samuel Flatto-Sharon, a member of the Israeli Knesset, was sentenced in absentia by a Paris court today to a five-year prison term and a 30,000 franc (About $7000) fine, for illicit financial operations. About 25 accomplices received suspended sentences.
The court stated that most of them, including Sharon, would be liable to several million francs in taxes and fiscal fines owed to the French state. The trial of Sharon, referred to in court by his original name, Samuel Sigevits, began last May.
According to the charges, he made illegal profits totalling some $250 million by creating fictitious companies which bought and resold land among themselves and pocketed advantageous loans which were not repaid. Sharon fled to Israel, taking with him the money he allegedly swindled, long before his fraud was uncovered.
(In Jerusalem today, Sharon said his attorney in Paris would file an appeal against the right of the French courts to try him. But he said he would go to France himself if a new trial is ordered and if arrangements can be made with the French authorities. The latter have sought Sharon’s extradition from Israel in the past and are expected to renew their request. A Justice Ministry spokesman said that if this is done, the Ministry would review the matter again Sharon was stripped of his Knesset immunity last July so that he can stand trial in Israel for alleged election campaign fraud.)
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
