Olmert now indicted
Ehud Olmert has become surely the first prime minister in Israeli history to face an indictment over criminal charges:
The State Prosecutor's Office filed official corruption charges against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Sunday. This is the first time in Israel's history that a former PM will face a criminal indictment.I guess Olmert has found himself a place in history, hasn't he?
The indictment includes charges of fraud, breach of trust, falsifying corporate records and tax evasion, as well as a charge of fraudulently obtaining benefits to which the State attributes aggravated circumstances.
The indictment spans three of the scandals the former prime minister was entangled in: The Talansky case, the Rishontours double billing case and the Investment Center case. The indictment does not include bribery charges, despite police recommendations in the matter.
The State Prosecutor's Office has also filed charges against Shula Zaken, Olmert's former bureau chief, for her involvement in the Talansky and Rishontours cases.
Zaken will face charges of falsifying corporate records, fraudulently obtaining benefits, fraud and breach of trust, as well as illegal wiretapping.
Labels: Israel, political corruption
