Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 05, 2009 Shvat 11, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:18 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Union refuses to cash 'smelly' Hirchson check By Ofra Edelman A day after National Workers Organization chairman Abraham Hirchson sent the group post-dated checks totaling NIS 1.6 million, the organization declared the move "did not smell right." Hirchson sent the union checks on Monday, a day before he testified in court on embezzlement charges yesterday. This was his first time testifying. Advertisement The union said it was not going to deposit the checks at this time, and has asked the State Prosecutor's office for instructions. "You know that tomorrow there's a court hearing so you try to return the money? Why didn't you return the money five years ago?" union director general Yair Shalem said yesterday. Hirchson sent checks totaling the sum he has admitted to having received. In a letter he sent with the checks, Hirchson said the money had been given him in monthly installments against his retirement package, which he has not yet received. He also requested that an independent committee make a final calculation of his pension. Tel Aviv District Court Judge Bracha Ofir-Tom also criticized the former finance minister's move. "Why did you see it proper to return money you contend he actually deserves?" she asked Hirchson's lawyer, Jacob Weinroth. Weinroth responded that for the sake of "public hygiene," the money should be in the union's account. "They have the money. If they decide we deserve it, we'll get it. If not, then we won't," he said. The prosecutor, Eli Shwartz-Shoef, said, "The timing of this document speaks for itself and the considerations behind it. For us, a thief returning stolen money is a step in the right direction, and it doesn't matter why he did it." At the beginning of his testimony yesterday, Hirchson said: "I am ashamed by how I received the money. I don't know what it was. Blindness, a lapse of judgment." Hirchson also said the media had "crushed" him since the affair broke two and a half years ago, but that "perhaps this is my penance." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Celebrities scam Arab world celebrities 'swindled of millions by Egyptian fraudster'. Holocaust denial Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant his positions.

Read & React UN backtracks on claim that deadly IDF strike hit Gaza school Responses: 252 Hamas: Israel offered to let in 75% of Gaza aid in exchange for Shalit Responses: 71 Barak okays new West Bank settlement in return for evacuation of illegal outpost Responses: 56 Yehuda Ben Meir: Claim that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza is blood libel Responses: 34 Gaza doctor who lost daughters in IDF strike: Everyone makes mistakes Responses: 23 More Headlines 21:05 Gaza doctor who lost daughters in IDF strike: Everyone makes mistakes 17:06 Mubarak: Hamas to blame for spilled Arab blood 23:53 Elections 2009 / Poll reveals: The game is not over yet 20:26 Lebanon says five rockets founds near border with Israel 00:44 Israel intercepts Lebanese aid ship bound for Gaza Strip 00:12 Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: Lieberman will be pivotal minister in my government 23:30 Report: World's most wanted Nazi 'Doctor Death' died in 1992 22:53 S. Africa politician apologizes for saying 'Jewish money controls America' 20:06 UN: Hamas seized food and blankets from needy Gazans 20:44 Amira Hass / Gazans set up make shift exhibit of Israeli weapons used in Cast Lead 21:24 Arab world celebrities 'swindled of millions by Egyptian fraudster' 18:20 Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant 13:26 Report: Obama to offer Russia deal to cut nuclear arms by 80% 15:46 World powers urge Iran to cooperate with UN over nuclear program Previous Editions Select Day 04 feb 03 feb 02 feb 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 26 jan 25 jan 23 jan 22 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier State of Israel Bonds During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help. SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |

| Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved