Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., October 10, 2007 , | | Israel Time: 23:39 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

Accountant General Yaron Zelekha. (Archives) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 23:37 10/10/2007 Comptroller issues order preventing ouster of accountant-general By Amir Oren, Haaretz Correspondent State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss issued a temporary order Wednesday evening preventing the government from appointing a new accountant-general to replace Yaron Zelekha. As ombudsman, Lindenstrauss has the authority to grant protection to officials who uncover corruption. The order was addressed to Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and is intended to thwart Bar-On's plan to approve the appointment of Shuki Oren as the new accountant-general at the cabinet meeting on Sunday. In August, Bar-On announced that Zelekha's tenure would come to an end when his contract expired this month. The finance minister has stressed that Zelekha has not been fired, but said rather that the accountant-general's tenure was simply coming to an end, and that he places "great importance on rotating personnel during terms". Advertisement However, public officials were enraged by Bar-On's announcement, and many said they believed that Zelekha was dismissed because of his role in outing corruption charges against top government officials. Zelekha uncovered the Bank Leumi affair involving Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and is considered a steadfast fighter against government corruption. The accountant-general is the star witness in an ongoing police investigation against Olmert, in which the prime minister is suspected of interfering with the tender for the controlling interest in Bank Leumi in 2005, when he served as finance minister. Zelekha was behind the initial complaint to the comptroller on the matter. On Tuesday, police questioned Olmert on the Bank Leumi affair for over 5 hours. State Prosecutor Eran Shendar has stated that he would not intervene in the finance minister's decision not to extend Zelekha's contract. By law, Attorney General Mazuz had the authority to intervene in Bar-On's decision to dismiss Zelekha. However, Mazuz has recused himself from dealing with the Bank Leumi case due to a conflict of interest (Mazuz's sister was an advisor to the treasury during the relevant time period) and thus the authority to handle matters surrounding the case fell into Shendar's hands. Zelekha was the economic advisor to Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, a known adversary of Olmert, while Netanyahu was prime minister. Moreover, Zelekha was appointed to his current position of accountant-general by Netanyahu while he was finance minister. Lindenstrauss said Thursday that anyone who reveals government corruption will be protected by law and that this protection is an important step in curtailing corruption in the public sector. Related articles Treasury takes on comptroller over Zelekha ouster Facing ouster, Accountant-General accuses PM of personal vendetta State Prosecutor Eran Shendar: I won't prevent Zelekha's ouster Bookmark to del.icio.us Bad publicity Tiv Taam is fighting for public opinion in order to counter a consumer affairs T.V. show. The biggest stage For the first time in its history, Maccabi Tel Aviv will play against the New York Knicks.   1.   VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE!!! Kol hakavod Lindenstrauss! 19:52  |  bat yam 10/10/07   2.   Fantastic News!! 19:56  |  Jewish State 10/10/07   3.   great news ! thank you comptroller lindenstrauss ! 20:51  |  yahn goodey 10/10/07

Today Online Amir Oren: Extremist Islam is the enemy, not the Palestinians Responses: 239 Ephraim Sneh: When it comes to Iran, Israel must expect the worst Responses: 106 Abbas lays out first precise demands for Palestinian borders Responses: 282 German historian publishes chilling read: Hitler's fan mail Responses: 83 U.S. gov't said split over Israeli intel on N. Korea- Syria ties Responses: 73 Haaretz TV: Many Arab J'lem residents are on 'wrong' side of fence Responses: 7 Rosner's Domain * Romney's position on attacking Iran? better ask his lawyers * WTR: The debate over Tutu * Understanding the Israeli Attack on Syria * Poll: A divided Jerusalem? More Headlines 23:34 Hamas says Gaza rule is 'temporary', wants talks 23:37 Comptroller issues order preventing ouster of accountant-general 20:00 PA Chair Abbas lays out first precise demands for Palestinian borders 22:23 High Court: Labor laws to apply to Palestinians in settlements 22:19 Putin spurns Leviev, invites 'Gaydamak's rabbi' to Kremlin 20:37 In line with gov't policy, Discount Bank cuts ties with Gaza banks 13:10 New York Times: U.S. gov't split over Israeli data on Syria-N. Korea ties 16:50 Palestinian-born Jewish convert convicted of aiding Islamic Jihad 23:39 U.S. House committee passes Armenian genocide resolution 23:39 Daughter allegedly slips mother 97 pills in attempt to kill her Previous Editions Select Day 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 28 sep 27 sep 26 sep

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