Sharon's son sentenced for illegally raising campaign funds

An Israeli court today sentenced the eldest son of Israel’s ailing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to nine months in jail after he pleaded guilty to illegally raising funds for one of his father’s political campaigns.

Omri Sharon pleaded guilty in November to falsifying corporate documents, perjury and violating party funding laws.

Under a plea deal, prosecutors dropped charges of fraud and breach of trust, but demanded imprisonment on the other counts.

He resigned from his parliamentary seat in January, in anticipation of the sentencing.

The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced Sharon to nine months in jail and nine more months on probation.

Omri Sharon will not have to serve the nine months immediately since his father is in a coma since he suffered a massive stroke on January 4.