Regarding the first indictment - Hadarim Prison ramp
Main Inquiry
- During the main interrogation, Reuven was referred to transcripts of wiretaps between him and the defendant and to various exhibits. I will present the main points below.
Transcript of Conversation No. 513 of February 1, 2018: In a conversation between the witness and the defendant regarding the Hadarim Prison ramp, the defendant informed Reuven that he was going to send him a sketch and what he had written, and asked Reuven to look at things and call him if he had any questions. In addition, the defendant reminded Reuven that this was his project, and that the witness did not need to "run" after contractors. He would receive the check from the main contractor as soon as the work began.
Transcript of conversation No. 557 of February 1, 2018: In a conversation between the witness and the defendant, the defendant stated that he had calculated according to 18 square meters of ramp, even though the area was 15 square meters. Reuven estimated that the project would cost between 10,000 and 12,000 shekels. The defendant responded: "Fifteen of us have closed." In his testimony, the witness stated that this was a preliminary and non-binding conversation (p. 321). Later in the conversation, the defendant asked that Reuven not talk to anyone or say anything. In his testimony, Reuven noted that he did not remember whether he had been asked about this by the police, and on the merits of the matter, that the defendant did not want others in Hadarim Prison to know "such things", and that it was the defendant who dealt with costs and finances (pp. 322-323). Reuven was referred to his interrogation on November 4, 2018, in which he said that the defendant did not want Reuven to quote the price because he wanted to increase the price of the project. The witness noted that he was not sure that he had said these things to the police, but that it is reasonable to assume that he did indeed say them (p. 323).
- When he arrived at Hadarim Prison, Reuven discovered that the ramp was required to carry not only people, but also heavy loads. The size of the ramp did not change significantly, but the ramp was required to withstand a load ten times greater. Accordingly, Reuven's price quote changed. In his testimony, he stated that he did not remember exactly whether the offer had changed to NIS 24,000 or NIS 48,000 (p. 324). After refreshing his memory through his interrogation of November 27, 2018 (P/74), it emerged that it was necessary to use thick plates of 5 mm instead of plates of 3 mm, and in addition, it was necessary to close existing stairs and to install a removable floor in two places. As a result of these changes, his pricing increased to NIS 26,000 (30,000 including VAT) (pp. 325, 327). He does not remember whether he received the check from the defendant or from the contractor (p. 327).
- According to Exhibit P/54, an email from the defendant to Lt. Col. Hani Abu Rish, the financial estimate for the implementation of the ramp project is approximately NIS 58,000. The estimate itself (P/55 dated January 31, 2018), for 18 square meters, is NIS 49,562.56 (NIS 57,988.20 including VAT). Reuven issued an invoice for the work in the amount of NIS 49,300 including VAT (P/52).
In response to a question regarding the discrepancy between his pricing (NIS 30,000 including VAT) and the invoice that came out (NIS 49,300 including VAT), Reuven replied that he would sometimes serve as "a conduit for why he had to do more things." This is what the defendant explained to him, who asked him to write an invoice for a higher sum than he actually did (pp. 328-329). After receiving the money (the check was deferred by two months), he transferred part of the money to the defendant, after deducting VAT and National Insurance. He transferred approximately NIS 15,000 to the defendant, slightly less (pp. 329-331). Sometimes he would meet the defendant outside near the Ombudsman in Ramle, and sometimes in the middle of the road randomly – the defendant would go somewhere and ask the witness to meet him on the way (pp. 331-332).