Former chief Israeli rabbi arrested for alleged bribery, money laundering scheme

JERUSALEM – Israeli police say the country's former chief rabbi has been arrested following a fraud probe.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says Yona Metzger stands charged with bribery, money laundering and income tax violations.

Rosenfeld said the crimes were allegedly committed while Metzger served as chief rabbi. Metzger suspended himself from his post in June, weeks before the end of his 10-year term, after police questioned him on the matter.

Metzger was the country's chief rabbi for Israel's Ashkenazi, or European-descended, Jews. Along with a second chief rabbi from the Sephardic, or Middle Eastern lineage, Metzger led the country's supreme body for overseeing Jewish religious services.

Metzger, who denies the allegations, is to appear in court later Monday.