Following the release of the Rishon Tours chapter in the ongoing investigations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, one of his attorneys, Prof. Ron Shapira, has advised him to consider making a deal with the prosecution, explaining that if he decides to play out his hand, and he is indicted, he is likely to serve time in prison.
He is advising his client to probe the possibility of reaching a plea bargain agreement which would include the lesser charges of breech of trust and fraud, and agree to immediately step down from office. If not, the indictment could be strong enough to result in a conviction that would include a prison sentence.
Other members of the prime minister’s legal team, Eli Zohar and Navot Tel-Tzur remain adamantly opposed to such a move. Amir Dan, Olmert’s public relations man, on Sunday released a statement denying the accuracy of the report, insisting Shapira never made such recommendations to his client.
It now appears that the prime minister will be questioned in connection to alleged tax fraud among the other charges mounting against him in the various cases. Police are also contemplating subpoenas against Aliza Olmert, his wife, as well as their children, who are all apparently involved since they took advantage of the airline tickets provided by the prime minister, tickets that appear to have been funded by public charities. Police are rejecting Olmert’s claims that his family flew on points earned by him during his flights.
In one case, in 2005, Rachel Risby-Raz arranged a flight for Aliza Olmert, who attended a photo exhibit in New York City. This ticket according to police was totally funded by a double billing to a non-profit organization. It occurred while Olmert served as minister of industry & trade. Olmert arranged for invitations to be sent on official government stationary, from his ministry. He too accompanied his wife on the trip to New York.
In a related matter, Shula Zaken will be questioned by police in the Fraud Unit headquarters in Bat Yam in relation to the investigation against the prime minister pertaining to the Cremier Street home in Yerushalayim. This will be the first time that Zaken, Olmert’s longtime assistant and confidant is being questioned in this matter.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
The cat has too many lives to place any serious value on this news.
Pinocchio, Snow White and Superman are walking in the street when they come across a sign:
“Beauty contest for the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“I am entering,” said Snow White. After half an hour she comes out and they ask her, “Well, how was it?”
“First Place”, said Snow White.
They continue walking and they see a sign: “Contest for the strongest man in the world.”
“I’m entering,” says Superman and after half an hour he returns and they ask him, “How was it?”
“First Place,” answers Superman.
They continue walking when they see a sign: “Contest! Who is the greatest liar in the world?”
Pinocchio enters. After half an hour he returns with tears in his eyes. “What happened?” they asked,
“Who is this Olmert?” asked Pinocchio.
I was about to laugh at SYMCL’s joke, but then I remembered that this “Olmert” is still sitting in his big fat seat and supposedly running the country!
How is this possible! Why are all the 119 ministers not forcing his resignation!
The answer is that they are next to be investigated – they all have their hands in the pie and would rather let the police focus on him.
What a disgrace that the whole world is reading this. Chillul Hashem!