Ephraim Margalit, former director of the Paris office of Keren Hayesod, the financial arm of the World Zionist Organization, found guilty here last week of embezzling $170, 000 of the organization’s funds, was sentenced today to 15 year’s imprisonment.
Judge Binnamin Halevi, of the Jerusalem District Court, who imposed the sentence, also ordered Margalit to pay the costs of the trial, which includes 11,000 pounds ($3,600) for bringing 11 witnesses here from France to testify at the proceedings which resulted in Margalit’s conviction.
Prior to hearing the sentence, Margalit pleaded with the court for leniency, saying he had been “drawn” into gambling activities through which he had dissipated the funds he was charged with embezzling. He said his total resources now amount only to 205 French francs.
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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.