Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 28, 2008 Iyyar 23, 5768 | | Israel Time: 08:41 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 21:19 27/05/2008 ANALYSIS: Talansky testimony paints portrait of Olmert the hedonist By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: bribery, Ehud Olmert  During the court appearance Tuesday of the key witness in the corruption investigation currently underway against Prime Minister Ehud Omert, those present during the deliberations were introduced to a portrait of Olmert that has remained, for the most part, under wraps: that of a hedonistic politician who insists on overnight stays in lavish suites and first-class airline service, a man whose expenses are subsidized by naive wealthy donors. American businessman Morris Talansky, who gave his testimony in the case at the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday, recalled seeing Olmert's laundry and movie rental bills from his stay at the luxurious Ritz Hotel in Washington D.C. appear on his credit card statement. In the absence of a cross-examination, it was difficult to point out contradictions, inconsistencies, or lies in his testimony. In contrast with numerous reports in media outlets in recent days - stories that portrayed Talansky as some crazed right-wing loon - the Long Island businessman came across as coherent, steady, and reasonable. Advertisement One must keep in mind that early testimony is given in the absence of an indictment. The word "bribe" was not mentioned during the deliberations, nor was there a hint that bribery is the issue at the heart of the affair. Talansky was persistent in stating that he has never conducted business in Israel, nor has he ever made demands of the prime minister in exchange for money. As of right now, it remains unclear how relevant Talansky's lengthy testimony was to the case. Police investigators are focusing their attention primarily on 2005, not the 15 years during which Talansky and Olmert have known one another. Talansky's dramatic stories of the funding and assistance he provided Olmert during the latter's tenure as Jerusalem mayor will likely not be used as the basis for an indictment against the premier. That is, if there is an indictment in the future. Related articles: Talansky: I gave Olmert $150,000, no record of how he spent it Legal source: Cash envelopes alone may not prove charges against Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert's lawyers receive Talansky's bank, credit records Police question Talansky, pass on evidence to Olmert's attorneys Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time Bookmark to del.icio.us   From hunted to hunter Jerusalem camera catches brutal attack by Jewish teens on Arab youths. The will to power Palestinian governments violate human rights in quest for control.   1.   Hedonistic corrupt politicians will GAMBLE WITH ISRAEL`S FUTURE!! 21:58  |  Mark 27/05/08   2.   who says Talansky was Olmert`s only bagman? 22:11  |  DeeCee 27/05/08   3.   So What? 22:22  |  Ben Israel 27/05/08   4.   I told you Olmert cared only for himself 22:48  |  Raphael 27/05/08   5.   Surely there is enough to Indict Olmert now..... 23:18  |  Dolly 27/05/08   6.   Ben Israel # 3 _ I Disagree 00:01  |  Eli 28/05/08   7.   Non declared taxable income 00:09  |  D. Katz 28/05/08   8.   A Hedonist, who abuses his power-position 00:39  |  AliciaYasmeen 28/05/08   9.   You can censor me as much as you like, the truth will come out 00:46  |  Raphael 28/05/08   10.   PM Israel expenses 00:47  |  don roberts 28/05/08   11.   This is no PM ... 00:55  |  Esther 28/05/08   12.   Not a hedonist a criminal 04:21  |  Al 28/05/08   13.   Shmeeedonist 04:27  |  Sarah 28/05/08

Read & React Israel's wrong to ban Finkelstein, while allowing in Kahanists Responses: 254 Talansky: Olmert got $150,000 from me, introduced me to tycoons Responses: 75 VIDEO: Jerusalem camera catches attack by Jewish teens on Arab youths Responses: 173 Barack Obama: I wouldn't promise Ahmadinejad a meeting Responses: 87 Rosner's Domain The story of Obama and the 'A' word Rosner's Guest: U.S. should enforce policies on Israel Obama's uncle did not liberate Auschwitz (WTR) Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? More Headlines 08:41 Barak mulls ultimatum to Olmert: Resign or agree to early elections 07:28 The good life, Olmert-style 05:13 Assad: Lebanon should talk with Israel if negotiations progress 07:48 Hamas revises prisoner list for Shalit exchange 07:25 Was William Shakespeare a Jewish woman in disguise? 07:57 Meet the submarine SMS device 08:28 Police suspect foreign workers of stabbing employer to death 07:46 VIDEO: Jerusalem camera catches brutal attack by Jewish teens on Arab youths 03:34 Bilateral talks include reviewing textbooks for signs of incitement 04:58 Police recover Roman-era figurine, meter-high pottery in home raid 05:34 Looming water crisis endangers local food supply, warn ministers Previous Editions Select Day 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates 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