Sharon's son quits over corruption trial
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s eldest son resigned his parliamentary seat today, ahead of a January 22 sentencing over charges of illegal fund-raising for his father’s 1999 election campaign, a spokeswoman said.
Omri Sharon pleaded guilty in November to falsifying corporate documents, perjury and violating party funding laws.
Under a plea deal, prosecutors dropped charges of fraud and breach of trust but are demanding imprisonment on the other counts.
The charges carry a maximum of five years in prison, but the sentence is expected to be lighter, possibly a suspended term or community service.
Under Israeli law, a legislator convicted of an offence defined as one of “moral turpitude” loses his or her seat.
Although the court has yet to rule on that issue, Omri Sharon’s spokeswoman Mirit Cohen said he did not wish to draw things out more than necessary.
“He saw no point in waiting,” she said.
Omri Sharon oversaw parts of the campaign and fund-raising activities for his father’s victory in the 1999 primary in the Likud Party.
Prosecutors decided not to charge Ariel Sharon with involvement in the same scandal.
