Israel’s State Prosecutor’s Office has informed Bar Refaeli that she could face charges of tax evasion, money laundering, and perjury, subject to a hearing.
The Israeli supermodel is accused of lying about her primary place of residence and failing to declare luxury gifts and celebrity discounts. The Israel Tax Authority has been investigating Refaeli for several years but she has yet to be indicted on any charges.
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Refaeli’s attorney previously denied claims that the “X Factor Israel” host failed to report “celebrity perks” worth an estimated one million in New Israeli Shekel (~C$363,000), including the use of luxury vehicles in exchange for advertising and public relations.
The 33-year-old model was also accused of hiding tens of millions of shekels in 2009-10 but she testified against the claims in court in 2017, saying that she was living abroad with her then-boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio at the time.
She similarly denied accusations that she failed to declare NIS 6 million (~C$2.18 million) while reportedly living in Israel from 2006 to 2007, according to i24news.
Israeli tax authorities have been gathering evidence over the past two years using a tracking device via cell phone records, according to Israel’s Hadashot news channel. The investigation has led to Refaeli’s parents, Rafi and Tzipi Refaeli, also been accused in a separate money laundering case.
Refaeli will attend a hearing before the State Prosecutor’s Office decides whether to file an indictment against her.
