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Key witness in Olmert corruption probe Morris Talansky (Emile Salman / Jini) Last update - 19:28 08/07/2008 Olmert to be quizzed by police for third time in Talansky probe By Jonathan Lis and Amir Oren, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Morris Talansky, Israel  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be questioned by the police fraud squad on Friday for the third time in the ongoing corruption probe against him. Olmert is being investigated for allegations that he accepted illicit funds over many years from Morris Talansky, a Jewish American businessman from Long Island, in what has been dubbed "the envelopes affair." Talansky, the key witness against Olmert, is expected to arrive in Israel next Thursday to be cross-examined by Olmert's attorneys. Talansky already gave a preliminary deposition in the Jerusalem District Court on May 27. Advertisement Last week, Haaretz reported that senior officials in the State Prosecutor's Office and the police said inquiries made in the United States by Israeli law enforcement representatives were strengthening suspicions of fraud and other crimes against Olmert. In his preliminary deposition Talansky testified that he gave Olmert $150,000, mostly in cash, for political campaigns and travel expenses. He denied receiving anything in return for the cash, which was allegedly conveyed in envelopes through third parties. According to one key official, "the case against Olmert has grown stronger," following the inquiries in the U.S. Another senior official confirmed that impression, saying that "the case is progressing, and progressing nicely." The team conducting the inquiries consists of attorney Uri Korev of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office, and superintendents Lior Weiss and Tzahi Havkin of the National Fraud Unit. They traveled to New York, Washington, and Las Vegas to gather documents from banks and other sources, and to interview witnesses. According to a senior law enforcement official, the trio flew to the U.S. on June 23 without waiting for the Justice Department's final permission, in order to speed up an American bureaucracy that was moving slowly because of a jurisdiction dispute between the federal government and local authorities. The impression in Jerusalem was that the decision to "create facts on the ground" indeed prompted the desired outcome. Team members report back to their respective superiors: Korev answers to Jerusalem District Prosecutor Eli Abarbanel, who participates in consultations on the Olmert case with State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and his deputy for criminal affairs, Shuki Lemberger. Weiss and Havkin work for the National Fraud Unit chief, Brigadier General Shlomi Ayalon, who heads the team that twice has questioned Olmert, and is expected to question him a third time after Talansky's cross-examination. Ayalon participates in consultations on the Olmert case by the heads of the police investigation and intelligence departments and their legal counsels. Related articles: Police off to U.S. to quiz Olmert's son, others in corruption probe Law for the protection of screamers How to topple this unsavory character Bookmark to del.icio.us   Desert pursuit IDF criticizes Egyptian soldiers over fatal cross-border manhunt. Backing McCain The more religious the voter the more likely he is to support McCain over Obama.   1.   The abyss is there, waiting for Olmert. 13:00  |  Nora 08/07/08   2.   Good News as Olmert`s days as PM are numbered 13:19  |  Dolly 08/07/08   3.   Premature to expect Olmert`s Imminent Premiership Demise 15:57  |  Dagma 08/07/08   4.   THE ONLY THING THE CORRUPT CROOK WILL OPEN HIS MOUTH TO SAY IS: 16:06  |  glenna 08/07/08   5.   Premature to expect Olmert`s Imminent Premiership Demise 16:17  |  Dagma 08/07/08   6.   Like Nixon: Fighting All the Way to the End 16:34  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 08/07/08   7.   AG Mazuz 17:18  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 08/07/08   8.   Olmert is sickening. He should be deported. 17:31  |  Gary A., MD 08/07/08   9.   Olmert needs to resign NOW enough already 20:13  |  Shepherd 08/07/08   10.   Why is Olmert`s case stalling? 22:02  |  The Threadmill 08/07/08   11.   In Olmert`s case it should not be forgotten.... 22:27  |  The Truthful One 08/07/08   12.   I will not shedd a tear if oLMERT GES TO JAIL 22:30  |  NETTA 08/07/08   13.   Olmert and his Pro-Palestinan Family should be deported 22:36  |  Charlie Smythe 08/07/08   14.   HOW MANY QUIZZES WILL THE INIQUITY FILLED MERT BE GIVEN?HE SEEMS 17:51  |  glenna 09/07/08

Read & React Iran test fires missiles said to be capable of striking Israel, U.S. Responses: 119 Editorial: Israel must protect Palestinians from Jewish violence Responses: 62 Olmert, Assad to sit together at Med summit, handshake or not Responses: 15 Deodorant maker apologizes for topless DJ, Haredim still angry Responses: 68 Rosner's Domain Poll: The more religious the Jewish voter, the more pro-McCain Iran's bomb-building potential more than doubled (WTR) Poll: What should Obama do about Iraq? How good/bad is Obama's faith based initiative (WTR) More Headlines 18:06 Shin Bet arrests 2 Israelis suspected of aiding al-Qaida 14:00 New witness to give key testimony in Olmert corruption investigation 16:42 Iran test fires missiles said to be capable of hitting Israel 13:24 At least six killed in shootout at U.S. consulate in Istanbul 17:41 Study: Israeli Jews live nearly 4 years longer than Israeli Arabs 17:52 Israeli gays shun condoms despite worrying rise in AIDS 17:21 Cosmetics firm sorry for topless DJ ad, but Haredim still irate 17:22 Palestinians: West Bank water running dry due to Israeli curbs 16:22 Safety defects found in 15% of children's summer camp buses 13:36 Fayyad: IDF West Bank raids sabotage Palestinian security efforts 08:51 Olmert, Assad to sit together at Med summit, handshake or not 17:27 Man arrested after spraying graffiti on Berlin's Holocaust memorial 14:27 Knesset committee reviews proposal for policing 'talkbacks' 06:28 Police fail to bring indictments in settler attacks on Palestinians 10:46 Israeli tourist missing after reported rafting accident in Peru Previous Editions Select Day 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun

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