Moshe Hogeg, freed to house arrest on $22 million bail in probe of sex crimes, crypto fraud
Businessman Moshe Hogeg, who was arrested last month over
alleged sex crimes and cryptocurrency fraud, was released to house arrest on Tuesday
after nearly a month in detention.
In order to be released from detention, Hogeg was ordered to
deposit bail of NIS 10 million in cash (approximately $3.1 million), while
guaranteeing another NIS 20 million (approximately $6.2 million).
In addition, his wife and sister-in-law each had to
guarantee another NIS 20 million, taking the total sum to NIS 70 million
(approximately $22 million).
After his release, Hogeg immediately went in for further
questioning for a number of hours at the police force’s serious crime unit.
Hogeg’s attorneys, Moshe Mazur and Amit Hadad, said in a
statement that their client had not acted in a criminal manner.
“Moshe Hogg fully cooperated and gave his version [of
events] to the investigation,” they said in a statement. “There is a big gap
between the serious suspicions at the beginning of the affair and the facts
that have become clearer as the days go by. We are convinced that at the end of
the investigation and after its completion, it will become clear that there was
no criminality in Mr. Hogeg’s actions.”
A source close to the investigation told the Ynet news site
that the suspicions against Hogeg were very serious and his release should not
be interpreted as a sign of weakness in the case.
Hogeg, owner of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team, was
arrested along with seven others on suspicion of involvement in alleged massive
fraud.
He is also suspected of sex crimes, including trafficking
and underage prostitution offenses, as well as carrying out indecent acts,
sexual harassment, operating a location for the purpose of prostitution,
invasion of privacy, bringing an individual into prostitution, and supplying
drugs and alcohol to underage girls.
In one of the most serious accusations, a well-known model
said that Hogeg sexually assaulted her years ago, when she was 17. Channel 13
cited the model as saying Hogeg entered her hotel room and tried to force
himself on her, but she managed to fend him off.
Israeli television reported Sunday that although sources
close to the investigation said there was “strong evidence” against Hogeg in
the sex crimes part of the investigation, it would be difficult to charge him,
as there is no complainant.
Additionally, reports said that the investigation into the
alleged cryptocurrency fraud may not result in charges against Hogeg.
If Hogeg is ultimately indicted, the sources said the charge
sheet could end up significantly smaller than the 21 suspected offenses — which
include money laundering and theft — that he is being investigated over.
Hogeg has denied all the accusations against him.
Hogeg is a tech entrepreneur and cryptocurrency trader.
In 2018, he bought the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team. In
September of this year, he said he would sell the club, citing anti-Arab racist
tendencies among its “ungrateful” fans.
In May, Hogeg was one of a group of businesspeople sued by
former employees of an Israeli venture capital fund, who claim that three of
Israel’s largest initial blockchain coin offerings of 2017 and 2018 were
outright scams.
Hogeg has denied the allegations and said the lawsuit is an
attempt by disgruntled employees to extort him.
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