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Olmert's travel planner quizzed in corruption affairs By Tomer Zarchin and Jonathan Lis Tags: Israel News, Rishon Tours  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's travel planner was questioned by police last week in what appears to be the final interrogation before the state prosecution decides whether to indict her over her involvement in two corruption investigations Olmert is facing. Rachael Risby-Raz - Olmert's travel planner when he served as Jerusalem mayor and industry and trade minister, and now the Diaspora affairs adviser in the Prime Minister's Office - is suspected of playing a role in the Rishon Tours and Talansky affairs. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz recently announced he has decided to indict Olmert and his former chief of staff, Shula Zaken, subject to a hearing. Both are accused of fraud and breach of trust, among other offenses. Advertisement The Rishon Tours investigation began in June, over allegations Olmert had accepted money illegally while he was a mayor and minister. He is suspected of financing private flights for himself and his family through money obtained fraudulently from public institutions, including the World Jewish Congress and the Akim organization for developmentally delayed children, during his stint as minister of industry, trade and labor (2003-2006) and as mayor of Jerusalem (1993-2003). Olmert is suspected of demanding, through Zaken and Risby-Raz, reimbursement from the state and from two or more public institutions for the same trips abroad. It is believed that some $85,000 accumulated in an account at Rishon Tours, which was used for Olmert family trips abroad and for upgrades. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Striking Iran Israel's push to strike Iran puts its relations with the US at risk. Wiring up Soon enough Israelis will pump their cars full of electricity instead of gasoline.   1.   Menachem Mazuz Needs To Indict Olmert NOW 02:43  |  Judea 08/12/08

Read & React Zbigniew Brzezinski: Israel's push for Iran strike may hurt U.S. ties Responses: 194 Burston: Hebron, Feiglin, & self-hating Jews of the right Responses: 73 Defense official: Settler attacks could worsen tensions with Muslim world Responses: 114 Moshe Arens: Like Neville Chamberlain, Barak will realize mistake of Gaza truce Responses: 50 ANALYSIS / Israeli deterrence against Hamas is weakening Responses: 47 More Headlines 22:58 Netanyahu: Obama told me he views Iran nukes as unacceptable 02:06 Israel worried by report Iran has tripled its missile arsenal 02:09 Likud polls close after bumpy vote for Knesset candidates 22:13 Another gangland killing as underwold figure shot dead in Netanya 01:13 ANALYSIS / Iran sees Obama as worthy leader, but is that enough? 17:46 400 Tel Aviv parking spaces now wired to charge electric cars 22:55 Mismanagement threatens Israel's second most visited site 01:50 Suspected 9/11 mastermind, 4 co-defendants offer to confess 00:05 Olmert announces launch of pension fund safety net 20:39 Lebanese sources: Lebanon, Iran draw up framework for bilateral cooperation 02:25 Regulator warns: Israel cannot afford a bank collapse 15:51 Israeli envoy to UN: Obama must take care of U.S. before focusing on Mideast 22:04 Zbigniew Brzezinski: Israel's push for Iran strike may hurt U.S. ties 18:56 IDF soldier lightly hurt as tank overturns in Golan training accident 18:24 Police expose ring suspected of extorting thousands from Jerusalem beggars 17:16 India Jewish community leader: We are determined to rebuild Chabad house Previous Editions Select Day 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 01 dec 30 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov

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