Bar Refaeli convicted of tax evasion, fined £570K and given community service

A court in Tel Aviv convicted Israeli model Bar Refaeli of tax evasion this week, sentencing her to nine months’ community service and a £570,000 fine.

Refaeli, 35, pleaded guilty of submitting false tax returns while living abroad in order to avoid Israeli taxes. Her mother, who is her agent, was also convicted, after she signed property leases for Refaeli using other relatives’ names.

The tax investigation began in 2015. Her lawyers argued that she did not intend to cheat, but Israeli commentators have been scathing.

The model has caused anger in the past by dodging IDF service and demanding that authorities close the airspace over her wedding venue.