Supermodel Bar Refaeli Arrested Over Tax Troubles? Freebies Land Leonardo DiCaprio’s Ex In Trouble?
Leonardo DiCaprio's ex-girlfriend, supermodel Bar Refaeli, was reportedly arrested by Israeli authorities for allegedly failing to report "millions of dollars of income abroad," and for lying about her residency.
A report from Agence France Presse claimed that Israel's Tax Authority has suspected that the Sports Illustrated model received "over a million shekels," which amounts to about $257,000, in freebies.
"Israeli citizens who are not residents are exempted from reporting to tax authorities on income from outside the country," the report added. "The Tax Authority alleges Refaeli and her mother created the false appearance of the top model residing outside of Israel in order to avoid paying the full extent of taxes."
Aside from Bar Refaeli, her mother was also arrested, over the same charge.
An investigation from the tax agency revealed that Leonardo DiCaprio's ex was allowed by luxury car markers the use of their vehicles in exchange for endorsements. These vehicles, such as the Ranger Rover and Lexus, were never registered in her name, allowing her to evade paying taxes.
Bar Refaeli was also said to have entered into a contract with a luxury apartment in Tel Aviv as long as the news about her residing there is leaked to the press.
"An undercover investigation culminated in a raid on Refaeli and her mother's home on Wednesday, and on Thursday a Tel Aviv court ordered their arrest and release on bail," it said. "Both were forced to deposit their passports and are not allowed to leave Israel without permission for 180 days."
Bar Refaeli has had her brushes with Israel authorities in the past, particularly when it was found out that she ditched military service by marrying the friend of his father, whom she divorced shortly afterwards. Later, she was tapped by the IDF to be the face of its PR campaign.
Leonardo DiCaprio's ex, Bar Refaeli, has yet to issue a statement on her reported arrest over tax evasion charges.
