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Last update - 05:45 08/09/2008
Olmert probes: the corruption allegations against the prime minister
By Haaretz Staff
Tags: Ehud Olmert, corruption 

Police investigations and allegations of improprieties have dogged Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in recent years. The premier has been under investigation in the following cases:

* Olmert tours: Police suspect Olmert and his family took dozens of trips abroad that were paid out of an account Olmert held with the Rishon Tours travel agency in Rishon Letzion with money obtained fraudulemtly from public organizations.

"We are talking about many family trips of at least two family members at a time, for example mother and daughter, or two of the children, whose travel expenses were covered by the account in Rishon Tours," law enforcement sources said.
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"In the Rishon Tours affair, the case is unequivocally substantiated and by all appearances it will result in an indictment," sources said.

Police who flew to the United States to gather evidence in the case came away with findings that sources termed "satisfactory." Olmert was first investigated on suspicions that third parties were improperly financing family trips abroad as far back as 1991, when he was a Likud MK. The investigation failed to yield sufficient evidence for an indictment.

* Talansky affair: Police are investigating allegations that Olmert received funds illegally from U.S. businessman and fundraiser Morris Talansky while serving in various positions of public office before becoming prime minister.

As mayor of Jerusalem (1993-2003) and as minister of industry and trade (2003-2006), Olmert allegedly accepted significant sums of money, both directly and indirectly, from at least one third party. The amount of cash given to Olmert is estimated to exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

* Bank Leumi affair: Olmert was questioned under caution last October regarding alleged irregularities in the tender issued as part of the privatization of Bank Leumi. As acting finance minister at the time, Olmert oversaw the tender process. The allegations were eventually dropped.

* Small Business Authority and Investments Center affair: These concerned alleged improprieties by Olmert within two units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade during Olmert's term as minister. They were investigated as part of a wider investigation by the State Comptroller's Office.

In its investigation of the Small Business Authority affair, the comptroller concluded that "appointments were made out of political considerations and as a result of an improper [hiring] process" by "senior officials in charge of the industry and trade ministry in order to curry favor with political associates belonging to the party of then-minister Olmert."

The Investments Center affair, which was first reported in Haaretz, concerned allegations that Olmert granted personal favors to his old law partner, Uri Messer, who was acting on behalf of a company, an act which would constitute a conflict of interest, breach of trust, and fraud.

* The house on Cremieux Street: Olmert purchased a home on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem for which he is thought to have paid well below market value. In return, Olmert is suspected of using his position as mayor of Jerusalem to extend favors to the firm that built his home, Alumot.

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