Last update - 00:00 26/10/2006
AG Mazuz undecided on future of role with Olmert probe panel
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has not yet decided whether to recuse himself from dealing with the findings of the investigation by the State Prosecutor's Office into possible involvement by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the sale of the controlling interest in Bank Leumi.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau say that attorney Yemima Mazuz, the attorney general's sister, was the legal counsel for the sale procedure, which took place when Olmert was acting finance minister.
Mazuz maintains that there is no need for him to make a decision on this issue until the examination by the state prosecution is completed and the extent of his sister's involvement comes to light.
Mazuz himself was not aware of his sister's possible involvement in the case until Tuesday, despite the fact that the prosecution has been examining the case for three months.
Mazuz's offices at the Justice Ministry have not been involved in the examination, the findings of which the prosecution has been submitting directly to the State Comptroller's Office. A decision on the case is expected within a few days.
Officials in the State Comptroller's Office Wednesday expressed anger at the Justice Ministry's characterization of the comptroller's conduct in the affair as improper.
It was reported Wednesday that Mazuz was not thrilled at the prospect of initiating a criminal investigation before the comptroller's investigation is completed.
Officials in the comptroller's office, however, say the suspension of the comptroller's examination and the transfer of its findings to the State Prosecution was fully coordinated with and acceptable to Mazuz.
The officials say that in light of the complete cooperation between their office and Mazuz's, they were taken by surprise when they heard the comments from the Justice Ministry.
The government watchdog association Ometz filed a High Court of Justice petition Wednesday against Mazuz, demanding that he reverse his decision not to initiate a criminal investigation against Olmert for allegedly aiding a close friend, businessman Alexander Tessler, when Olmert was responsible for the Israel Lands Administration.