Israeli media: US businessman questioned in Netanyahu probe

JERUSALEM – Israeli media are reporting that police have questioned an American businessman as part of a corruption probe involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Haaretz newspaper reports that officers took testimony recently from Spencer Partrich over alleged “gifts and favours” given to the prime minister over the years. Neither Netanyahu’s spokesman nor Israeli police had immediate comment to Friday’s report.

Netanyahu has dismissed the allegations as baseless and portrayed the investigation as a witch hunt by a hostile media.

The investigation, dubbed “File 1000,” reportedly concerns claims that Netanyahu improperly accepted lavish presents from wealthy supporters, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.

Police have questioned Netanyahu several times.