Senior Mossad agent ousted over embezzlement scandal

A senior Mossad official was recently ousted from the intelligence agency over an apparent embezzlement scandal, Channel 12 News reported Monday.

The agent, stationed overseas, had allegedly been pocketing organizational funds amounting to tens of thousands of euros over a long period of time.

According to the report, once the embezzlement was discovered, the official was forced to return the money and leave the agency.

The report noted that Mossad personnel operating in foreign countries often handle large sums of money as part of the organizational system of trust, and once that trust is broken, the Mossad takes decisive action.

The Mossad declined to comment on the incident, Channel 12 News said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit on Sunday instructed State Prosecutor Amit Aisman to investigate allegations that while in office, former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen accepted a gift worth $20,000, something that goes against protocol for those in public service in Israel.

The gift in question was apparently received from Australian billionaire James Packer for his daughter's wedding, valued at $20,000.

Packer has been linked to a corruption case dubbed "Case 1,000," which saw police alleged that expensive gifts given to former PM Benjamin Netanyahu by Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Packer – followed by actions Netanyahu took on their behalf – constitute an illegal conflict of interest.

According to i24News, in a TV interview in June, Cohen spoke publicly about it for the first time. He admitted that he had accepted the funds but only after consulting with Mossad's legal counsel. He added that he had pledged to return the gift.

Once the initial review is complete, Mendelblit will decide whether a full criminal investigation is warranted, according to the report.

Cohen, who retired as head of Mossad last month, is reportedly slated to be appointed director of Israeli operations for Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son's SoftBank, a leading holding company that invests primarily in companies operating in the technology, energy and financial sectors.