Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be questioned for the second time over allegations of bribe-taking, in an investigation that continues to widen.
Police sources have told the JC that they are convinced that there is sufficient proof of illegal money transfers of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the United States to Mr Olmert’s interests in Israel. However, they still have not found the primary source of the funds, or what Mr Olmert was alleged to have done with them.
The Prime Minister faces further investigation for alleged corruption
The latest scandal is the result of an investigation into the ties between Mr Olmert and his old friend and law firm partner, Uri Messer. A memo, written by Mr Olmert’s former bureau chief Shula Zaken, led to the questioning and house arrest of Mrs Zaken and the questioning of Morris Talansky, a Long Island-based businessman. Police now believe that Mr Talansky and Mr Messer allegedly served as a conduit for transferring money to Mr Olmert, and the two men are expected to be key witnesses. Police have also raided Mr Olmert’s previous offices in the Trade Ministry and Jerusalem City Hall.
Mr Olmert has denied ever receiving bribes, claiming that the money transferred by Mr Talansky had financed political campaigns. The Prime Minister placed the responsibility firmly on the shoulders of Mr Messer, saying that “I am confident that he ensured everything would be according to the law.”