Posted on 09/26/2006 10:26:28 PM PDT by jdm
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was questioned for 45 minutes yesterday by Israel's state comptroller regarding a suspicious real estate deal suspected of facilitating bribes to the Israeli leader in exchange for political favors.
An official report to be issued on the subject in two weeks by the comptroller, Micha Lindenstrauss, will recommend Israel's attorney general file criminal charges against Olmert, top sources in the Lindenstrauss' office told WorldNetDaily.
If charges indeed are filed, Olmert would need to resign as prime minister according to Israeli law.
The comptroller's investigation focuses on Olmert's acquisition of a home in a posh Jerusalem neighborhood in 2004. At the time, Olmert served as minister of Industry and Trade.
Olmert and his wife Aliza purchased the house in question from Alumot, an Israeli construction agency, for $1.2 million. However, according to the findings of the comptroller, the real estimated value of the property was about $1.8 million, a difference of $600,000.
Following the purchase, Olmert's Industry Ministry reportedly assisted Alumot in the acquisition of what investigators termed "unusual permits" for construction in the city of Jerusalem. The permits reportedly allowed for a larger-than-usual area of construction, which allegedly increased the company's profits.
According to sources in the comptroller's office, the report to be issued will recommend criminal charges be filed. The sources said the report will accuse Olmert of accepting a bribe in the form of the cheaper rate for the purchased house.
Olmert's office denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Menachem Mazuz, Israel's attorney general, is considering criminal charges in several other cases pending against Olmert, including two questionable real estate deals and accusations the Israeli leader offered political appointments in exchange for favors.
Olmert has denied all charges.
As WND reported in May, Olmert also is accused of intervening in 2004 beyond his position as then-Industry and Trade minister in the sale of a port in Jaffa and nearby waterfront properties that were greatly undervalued using questionable methods.
The properties were designated by government lands authorities to be sold by competitive bidding, but Olmert allegedly reversed the decision and oversaw the sale for about $2.3 million. The properties reportedly were worth more than $13.5 million.
In an initial report, the comptroller states Olmert overstepped his duties as minister and failed to notify the Israel Lands Council of his involvement in the sale, which the report calls a conflict of interest.
Another comptroller investigation which could lead to criminal charges accuses Olmert of appointed unqualified cronies to key government positions in 2004, also while he served as Industry and Trade minister.
"The inspection findings raise the fear that the [Industry Ministry] served as a convenient route for political appointments of people affiliated with the party of Olmert. The authority operated while ignoring the norms of the public law, issuing projects in which employees recruited in an improper and unequal process were employed, with their only apparent quality being their association with the minister's party," stated the report, which was obtained by WND.
Charges were filed with Lindenstrauss's office following complaints by ministry employees in 2004 alleging Olmert appointed outsiders to top-level positions in exchange for support and political favors. Employees also claimed, at the time, Olmert directed funds and ministry tenders at associates and new appointees at the expense of loyal long-time workers.
The comptroller's report verified the charges. It questioned several specific appointments.
The latest report comes as Olmert's poll numbers in Israel are at their lowest-ever following the Jewish state's military confrontation last month with Hezbollah. A survey released last weekend by Israel's Dahav Institute, a mainstream polling company, showed if new elections were held only 7 percent of Israelis would vote for Olmert. A poll two weeks earlier by Israel's leading Yediot Aharonot showed 68 percent of Israelis were unhappy with the Israeli prime minister.
How do you say "White Water" in Hebrew?
I just want him to resign 'cause he's a wuss.
LOL, no kidding!
Then maybe a REAL man could take his place.
Buh, bye little Ehud. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.
This guy had enough chutzpah to pull off the Jaffa port malarky while a minister in Sharon's gov, while Sharon's family was under investigation for similar corruption.
Olmert doesn't deserve this easy out. His children don't live in Israel, Olmert is quite frankly a flight risk. He should be made to stand in front of the Knesset and the Israeli nation and resign over his complete and utter incompetence, and his orders resulting in killing of Reservists for political theater, not over some shady land deal.
And the comptrollers and state prosecutors in Israel need to be cut down a peg, they have caused the failure of 2 governments, it's getting as bad as Italy there.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
They need to practice free enterprise (capitalism) rather than the half baked socialism they practice.
Bibi Now!
You're on the right track, but that is going to be hard to do. (The State of) Israel was founded on the socialist kibbutz model, and the current state is still highly influenced by European trends.
They want it all: the freedom and democracy a la the U.S. and the high-minded "social consciousness" of Europe.
I find it a huge contradiction that the government and the society maintain their socialist ethos, yet somehow all the factions come together to support the most forceful military actions when necessary.
Israel is very complicated for such a tiny country.
I certainly agree: mabe "BEBE" will push more free enterprise if he gets in.
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