Sara Netanyahu: Wife of Israeli leader reaches plea deal in corruption case

First lady will pay the state 45,000 shekels ($12,400) in reimbursement and a 10,000-shekel fine

Ms Netanyahu reached a plea bargain in a fraud case over allegedly misusing state funds to order catered meals. (EPA)

Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, has reportedly reached a plea bargain in a fraud case over allegedly misusing state funds to order catered meals.

Under the agreement, she will pay the state 45,000 shekels ($12,400) in reimbursement and a 10,000-shekel fine while admitting a lesser charge, Israel Radio reported.

Ms Netanyahu, along with a government employee, was originally charged with fraudulently obtained from the state more than $100,000 (£79,000) for hundreds of meals supplied by restaurants, bypassing regulations that prohibit the practice if a cook is employed at home.

The plea deal was reached in a six-month-long mediation process and will go into effect after it is ratified by a judge, the radio reported.

A spokesman for the Netanyahu family declined to comment. Prosecutors were not immediately available for comment.

Mr Netanayahu is embroiled in legal woes of his own - three corruption cases in which he has denied wrongdoing - and a political crisis that could force him to call a new national election.

In February, Israel's attorney general said he intended to file fraud and bribery charges against him, pending a pre-trial hearing.

That session is set for October.

Reuters