Hollywood mogul acknowledges gifts to Netanyahu may have been 'excessive' in 2nd day of testimony
Source: Associated Press
Hollywood mogul acknowledges gifts to Netanyahu may have been ‘excessive’ in 2nd day of testimony
BY ILAN BEN ZION
Published 7:36 AM EDT, June 26, 2023
JERUSALEM (AP) — A billionaire Hollywood mogul took the stand for a second day on Monday in Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, acknowledging that the long list of champagne, cigars and jewelry he systematically gave to the Israeli prime minister may have been excessive.
Arnon Milchan, whose production credits include “Pretty Woman,” “12 Years a Slave,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” is a key witness in one of three cases brought against Netanyahu. Prosecutors are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust.
Milchan, 78, has been testifying by videoconference from Brighton, England, which is near where he is based.
Prosecutors hope his testimony, which began Sunday and is expected to last some two weeks, will provide details about the abundance of gifts given to Netanyahu and his wife. The gifts, the prosecutors maintain, led to favors from Netanyahu that advanced Milchan’s interests.
Netanyahu’s lawyers have said Milchan’s gifts were friendly gestures.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-hollywood-producer-corruption-trial-66bf7a1dadaf12590f8d04fe74415cd8