For the first time ever a former Israeli Prime minister has been criminally indicted; Ehud Olmert once Mayor of Jerusalem and Prime Minister of Israel has been entangled in scandals spanning from the early 90’s up until he left office in 2009.
Ehud Olmert and President Bush
The Ehud Olmert indictment will cover the “Talansky case”, “Rishontours” double billing case, and “The Investment center case”. Along with Ehud Olmert, indicted also was Shula Zaken former Bureau Chief to Olmert for her involvement in the Talansky and Rishon tours cases.
The indictment against Olmert include charges of fraud, breach of trust, tax evasion, and falsifying corporate records. The Talansky case involves Ehud Olmert’s relationship with American Morris Talansky. The indictment claims that Olmert received hundreds of thousands of dollars in unlawful funds while he was Mayor of Jerusalem and continuing while he served as Minister of Industry, trade and labor.
In the Rishon tours double billing case the state alledges that Ehud Olmert between 2002-2006 double and triple billed for his various trips on business, he then used the excess funds to finance personal trips all over the world.
Ehud Olmert is being charged with gross conflict of interest in the Investment center case between 2003-2006. An Indictment is still pending in a case involving illegal political appointments by Olmert. From Ynet News:
Olmert and his defense team are said to be planning to launch a PR campaign, meant to convince the public that the allegations against him are unfounded. Amir Dan, the former PM’s communications director, said that “the attorney general and state prosecutor never had any other option except filing an indictment.
Corruption in government is rampant, no matter the party, no matter the country. Ehud Olmert indicted on fraud charges is another example of the power of money as opposed to the power of a man’s conscience.
Olmert Asleep at the wheel Video