Israel's attorney-general is to investigate alleged fiscal misconduct at the private and state residences of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yehuda Weinstein's announcement follows a scathing report by the country's State Comptroller but the probe will not begin until after March 17 elections.
Weinstein stresses Netanyahu himself is not suspected of involvement in the misdemeanours.
The national watchdog's findings, dealing with the official Jerusalem residence and Netanyahu's private Ceasarea home, as well as the testimony of a former employee at the residence, raised only mild suspicions, said a statement issued by Weinstein on Thursday.
"But the state attorney's office believes the variety of affairs justifies a probe at the end of which it will be decided whether to launch a criminal investigation," it said.
The alleged misconduct at the residences of Netanyahu, who is campaigning for re-election next month, included mishandling of funds from recycled bottles by his wife Sarah, as well as the purchase of garden furniture for the weekend residence in Caesarea.
The report also insinuated misconduct in the employment of an electrician for the Caesarea home on weekends and holidays.
Weinstein noted the importance of cautious conduct in the weeks leading up to elections.
"One must note that in the material accumulated to this point, there is no evidence that raises the suspicion of involvement of the prime minister himself."
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