Friday, April 19th | 11 Nisan 5784

Subscribe
September 13, 2020 6:27 pm
0

Israeli Top Model Bar Refaeli Sentenced in Tax Evasion Case

× [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]

avatar by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff

Israeli model Bar Refaeli wears a face mask as she arrives for a hearing in the tax evasion case against her and her mother Tzipi, at a court in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2020. Photo: Oded Balilty / Pool via Reuters.

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli was sentenced on Sunday to nine months of community service and her mother was ordered jailed for 16 months for tax evasion on earnings from her international career.

The former Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model, now a popular TV personality in Israel, had pleaded guilty to tax offenses under a plea bargain that also included her mother and agent, Tzipi Refaeli.

Israeli tax authorities accused the two of evading paying taxes on income of about $7.2 million.

Security for their court appearance on Sunday was tight, with barricades in the lobby marking a path to an elevator that took the pair to the courtroom.

“We love you Bar,” one woman shouted as the model and her mother, both wearing coronavirus masks, walked past cameras and reporters, without making any comment.

Defense attorneys had argued that Bar Refaeli, a paparazzi favorite during a romantic relationship with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, did not have to declare to Israeli tax authorities worldwide income between 2009 and 2012.

Refaeli, now 35 and a mother of three and married to an Israeli businessman, had contended she was living overseas at the time and exempt from any Israeli tax bills.

But prosecutors said she had been living in luxury homes in Israel leased by her mother and other relatives to hide her residency status.

A Courts Administration statement said Bar was assigned provisionally to perform community service, five days a week, at a center near Tel Aviv for people with physical disabilities. Her 65-year-old mother was due to begin her jail term on Sept. 21.

They were fined 2.5 million shekels ($722,460) each, on top of taxes owed. The Haaretz newspaper said they would likely end up paying authorities about 25 million shekels ($7.2 million), including interest charges.

Share this Story: Share On Facebook Share On Twitter

Let your voice be heard!

Join the Algemeiner

Algemeiner.com

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.