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Omri Sharon, PM Ariel Sharon's son, has agreed to admit to charges.
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| By Associated Press November 15, 2005 |
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The eldest son of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, facing trial on corruption charges in connection with fund-raising activities for one of his father's election campaigns, has reached a plea bargain with prosecutors, Israeli media reported Monday.
Omri Sharon has agreed to admit to charges of falsifying corporate documents, perjury and to violating the party funding law, the Haaretz daily's Web site reported late Monday. In return the prosecution would drop counts of fraud and breach of trust.
Israel TV said the opening of his trial, scheduled Tuesday, would now be postponed until further notice. It said the charges carry a maximum total of seven years in prison, though community service is also an option. Haaretz said no deal on sentencing had been reached.
Justice ministry officials could not be reached for comment late Monday night.
Omri Sharon is accused of setting up fictitious companies to conceal illegal contributions during a 1999 primary campaign, when his father won the leadership of the Likud Party and became its candidate for prime minister.
According to charges laid In August, Omri Sharon received more than $1.3 million in 1999 and 2000 from groups in Israel and overseas for his father's campaign.
"These sums are significantly higher than allowed by the party finance laws," the indictment said.
Ariel Sharon's two terms as prime minister have been marred by scandals over shady campaign financing and real estate deals, but the prime minister himself has escaped indictment.
Omri Sharon is a member of the Israeli parliament. He has waived his parliamentary immunity to face the corruption charges.
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