Last update - 00:00 15/05/2007
Former MK Blumenthal asks Acting President to pardon her for bribery
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Staff
Former Likud MK Naomi Blumenthal officially asked Acting President Dalia Itzik to grant her a pardon on Tuesday, less than two weeks before she is expected to begin serving a prison term for bribery and obstruction of justice.
Itzik's office confirmed that they received the request, and as required by law, will transfer the request to the Justice Ministry for consideration.
Blumenthal is expected to start her 8-month prison term in 12 days, following her conviction for bribery and obstruction of justice charges in Tel Aviv District Court last April.
The former deputy minister was sentenced to eight months in jail, 10 months probation, and a NIS 70,000 fine.
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.
Last March, the Tel Aviv District Court rejected Blumenthal's appeal of her sentence. The presiding judges had harshly criticized the former Likud MK's behavior throughout the course of the legal proceedings against her, including her claims that her former driver Avi Oski lied during his testimony at the trial and that her campaign activities were legitimate.
Two weeks ago, Blumenthal's husband, Professor Michael Blumenthal, passed away.
On Monday, former Meretz MK Yossi Sarid joined the calls for Blumenthal to be pardoned. "An active prison term won't serve any public purpose," he said. Another former Meretz MK Shulamit Aloni also called for Blumenthal's sentence to be canceled on Tuesday.