Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 21, 2008 Iyyar 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:30 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

PM under investigation / Lador: Talansky allegedly gave Olmert envelopes full of cash By Tomer Zarchin and Ofra Edelman American millionaire Morris Talansky personally handed money to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on several occasions, State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said yesterday. Lador was speaking at a High Court of Justice hearing on a petition by Olmert and his former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, against the Jerusalem District Court's decision to depose Talansky even before any indictment is filed. Advertisement Justices Eliezer Rivlin, Salim Joubran and Edna Arbel will apparently rule on the matter today or tomorrow. Lador publicly detailed the suspicions against Olmert in the latest case for the first time. These suspicions, which include fraud and breach of trust, involve the receipt of cash back when Olmert served as minister of industry and trade and mayor of Jerusalem. "While Olmert served as a minister in the Israeli government, he allegedly received funds from Talansky, in Israel and abroad, sometimes through Zaken," Lador said. Lador said that Talansky told investigators that he and Olmert met several times, usually briefly, during which he gave Olmert envelopes full of dollars. Lador also told the court it would be significant if "something was given in exchange" for this money. He also mentioned possible infractions of tax laws. Lador noted that Olmert is not being questioned like an ordinary suspect: The police have been asking him for four days to set aside time for an interrogation, but Olmert has not done so. Speaking on Army Radio after the hearing, Olmert's lawyer, Navot Tel-Tzur, said the prosecution had failed to present new facts that would justify prior testimony by Talansky. The prosecution wants Talansky to testify now, before an indictment is filed, on the grounds that he may refuse to return to Israel. Talansky announced earlier this week that he would not stay in Israel after May 26, and his lawyer, Jacques Chen, explained to the court that his client had to return to the U.S. now for business and to care for his wife. However, Chen added, Talansky would post a bond to ensure his return, and in any case plans to return to Israel on June 11 for a family event. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.

Read & React Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week Responses: 87 Amos Harel: Iran's fingerprints all over Gaza strife Responses: 75 McCain blasts Obama for Iran threat comments Responses: 151 Jerusalem, Petah Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts Responses: 64 More Headlines 21:37 Supreme Court denies Olmert bid to block testimony against him 23:29 Western Negev council heads implore PM to stop Qassam fire 23:45 Five Palestinians killed in IAF strikes on Gaza 00:03 Al Gore says Israel should lead the way in renewable energy 20:36 Top U.S. military officer says Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq 19:55 Israeli historians gather in Albania to study how country's Jews escaped Holocaust 21:41 Comptroller: Olmert waited 18 months to make decision on Darfur refugees 21:51 Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri investigated for sexual assault 01:20 No coordination or sensitivity in dealing with Ethiopian immigrants 00:57 U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor 18:04 Orthodox Jewish youths burn New Testaments in Or Yehuda Previous Editions Select Day 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

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

Real Estate in Israel

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