patriotsblade
05-08-2008, 04:22 PM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24527673/
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he never took illegal campaign contributions, denying allegations in a police investigation against him. But he said if he's indicted, he'll resign.
Olmert made a statement late Thursday at his official residence after a gag order was lifted from the case. According to police suspicions, Olmert accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal contributions from a U.S. citizen, Morris "Moshe" Talansky.
In a statement broadcast live on local TV and radio stations, Olmert said a lawyer handled his finances, and everything was legal. "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself," he said.
He said he would not fight to stay in office if he is charged. "If I am indicted, I will resign my post," he said.
New cloud over prime minister
Talansky, a New York-area businessman and philanthropist, emerged as a key figure in an Israeli investigation into Olmert's financial dealings.
Talansky of Woodmere, Long Island, was questioned by police in Israel about reported payments he made to Olmert in the 1990s, when the prime minister served as Jerusalem’s mayor, according to the New York Post, which first reported the story Tuesday.
The investigation, which emerged last week, threatens to embarrass Olmert as the country marks its 60th anniversary of independence on Thursday. Dozens of world leaders, including President Bush, are scheduled to join celebrations next week.
An Israeli court had barred publication of most details of the case.
A telephone call to Talansky’s home in Woodmere was not immediately returned; two of his grandchildren in Israel said he was there but was unavailable to talk.
Olmert lawyer Eli Zohar said that if the prosecutors’ request is approved, the witness would not testify for some time while lawyers prepare for the questioning.
Series of scandals
Olmert has been suspected in a series of scandals throughout his three-decade political career, but never been convicted.
The current case is the fifth police investigation against him since he became prime minister in 2006. The investigation came to light last week after police swooped into his home and questioned him for 90 minutes “under caution,” an indication under Israeli law that an indictment could be forthcoming.
Olmert’s spokesman, Mark Regev, said the prime minister remains “very focused” on his agenda. With U.S. backing, Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have set a year-end target for reaching a historic peace deal.
But the investigation could limit Olmert’s ability to pursue that agenda.
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he never took illegal campaign contributions, denying allegations in a police investigation against him. But he said if he's indicted, he'll resign.
Olmert made a statement late Thursday at his official residence after a gag order was lifted from the case. According to police suspicions, Olmert accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal contributions from a U.S. citizen, Morris "Moshe" Talansky.
In a statement broadcast live on local TV and radio stations, Olmert said a lawyer handled his finances, and everything was legal. "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself," he said.
He said he would not fight to stay in office if he is charged. "If I am indicted, I will resign my post," he said.
New cloud over prime minister
Talansky, a New York-area businessman and philanthropist, emerged as a key figure in an Israeli investigation into Olmert's financial dealings.
Talansky of Woodmere, Long Island, was questioned by police in Israel about reported payments he made to Olmert in the 1990s, when the prime minister served as Jerusalem’s mayor, according to the New York Post, which first reported the story Tuesday.
The investigation, which emerged last week, threatens to embarrass Olmert as the country marks its 60th anniversary of independence on Thursday. Dozens of world leaders, including President Bush, are scheduled to join celebrations next week.
An Israeli court had barred publication of most details of the case.
A telephone call to Talansky’s home in Woodmere was not immediately returned; two of his grandchildren in Israel said he was there but was unavailable to talk.
Olmert lawyer Eli Zohar said that if the prosecutors’ request is approved, the witness would not testify for some time while lawyers prepare for the questioning.
Series of scandals
Olmert has been suspected in a series of scandals throughout his three-decade political career, but never been convicted.
The current case is the fifth police investigation against him since he became prime minister in 2006. The investigation came to light last week after police swooped into his home and questioned him for 90 minutes “under caution,” an indication under Israeli law that an indictment could be forthcoming.
Olmert’s spokesman, Mark Regev, said the prime minister remains “very focused” on his agenda. With U.S. backing, Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have set a year-end target for reaching a historic peace deal.
But the investigation could limit Olmert’s ability to pursue that agenda.