Last update - 00:00 04/12/2006
Ex-Likud MK Blumenthal begins appeal of bribery conviction
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Former Likud MK Naomi Blumenthal began her appeal of a conviction on bribery and obstruction of justice charges Monday in the Tel Aviv District Court.
The former deputy minister was sentenced in April to eight months in jail, 10 months probation, and a NIS 70,000 fine.
Blumenthal's attorney Uri Wagman told the court Monday that the conviction contains dozens of mistakes.
"The conviction cites things that were never mentioned in the transcripts of the trial, or that are the opposite of what was transcribed," said Wagman. "Someone who hears about a sentence like this asks himself, is this how things work in a court?"
Wagman also criticized the state's top witness, Blumenthal's former driver Avi Oski, saying he did not hesitate to lie in order to incriminate the former MK.
In addition, Wagman said the police investigation of Blumenthal was carried out in a negligent manner and hindered Blumenthal's ability to defend herself.
In the case, known as the "Sheraton City Tower" affair, Blumenthal was convicted of bribing 15 Likud activists and central committee members. She hosted them and their spouses in the Ramat Gan hotel before the December 2002 party primaries, in the hopes of gaining their votes in the elections.
Likud activist Michael Elnekaveh, who was convicted along with Blumenthal, has also appealed his conviction despite having already completed serving his sentence.