Yona Metzger, Israel's Chief Rabbi, Suspected Of Fraud, Money Laundering, Accepting Bribes

Israel's chief rabbi, Yona Metzger, was questioned by Israeli police Thursday after a months-long investigation culminated in a raid of his house and office.

Metzger, whose 10-year term as chief rabbi will expire this year, is suspected of fraud, money laundering and accepting bribes. Police from Israel's National Fraud Unit interrogated Metzger for hours, according to Ynet, and the investigation is ongoing.

More from the Associated Press:

JERUSALEM — Israeli police said they have questioned the country's chief rabbi and raided his home and office regarding his alleged involvement in a bribery and money laundering scheme.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says Thursday's probe of Rabbi Yona Metzger followed a months-long undercover investigation into his financial dealings. Rosenfeld said police confiscated computers and documents from the rabbi's home and arrested three of his associates.

Metzger is mere weeks away from ending his 10-year term as the country's chief rabbi for Ashkenazi, or European-descended, Jews.

Along with a separate Chief Rabbi from the Sephardic or Middle Eastern lineage, Metzger has led the country's supreme body for overseeing Jewish services.

The Chief Rabbinate had no comment.

In 2005, Metzger was also questioned over fraud allegations. No charges were filed.