The suspects are believed to have been part of a bribery ring that enabled a criminal organization to control key decision-making positions within the municipality. According to police, this infiltration allowed the criminal group to exclude rival contractors during the bidding process for municipal projects. Municipal officials allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for ensuring that contractors linked to the criminal organization won tenders by providing them with confidential information.

Law enforcement characterized the municipality as having suffered "systematic and continued infiltration" by criminal elements. Members of the suspected criminal organization were also arrested as part of the investigation. According to Superintendent Diti Zeelim of the Lahav 433 major crimes unit, every contractor or entrepreneur seeking to work in the city was forced to deal with the criminal organization.

Investigators estimate that the suspected criminals obtained tens of millions of shekels in illegal profits through their illicit influence over the municipality's Tenders Committee and Planning and Building Committee. The investigation, conducted jointly by Lahav 433 and Tax Authority officials, had been ongoing covertly for over a year before the arrests were made public.

The 14 arrested suspects were brought for remand hearings in the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court. Four additional suspects were detained for questioning but not taken into police custody. Officers seized luxury vehicles, a yacht, and real estate assets valued at millions of shekels. Mayor Ronen Marelly instructed all municipal officials and employees to cooperate with investigation and law enforcement authorities. Attorneys representing two of the suspects stated that their clients deny the allegations.