Police: Not enough evidence to charge Olmert in real estate case

The Israel Police National Fraud Unit on Thursday said they do not have sufficient evidence to charge Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the corruption investigation against him known as the Cremieux Street affair.

Olmert's spokesperson said he does not understand why it took three years to investigate such a minor matter, only to reach the conclusion that the investigation was baseless.

Olmert had been suspected of having purchased a home on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem, for which he is thought to have paid well below market value. In return, Olmert was suspected of using his position as mayor of Jerusalem to extend favors to Alumot, the firm that built his home.

A police spokesman said they will transfer the investigation file to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz for a final decision on whether to close the case against Olmert.

In February, police sources said there appears to substantial evidence to indict Olmert on charges of cronyism during his term as minister of industry, trade and labor and in what has been dubbed the Investment Center affair.

Police had also recommended that Olmert be indicted in the Rishon Tours affair, in which he is suspected of having billed multiple public organizations, including charities, for dozens of trips that his family took abroad.

	Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
	Photo by: (Getty Images)