Jerusalem, August 30: Israel’s former Premier Ehud Olmert has been indicted on graft charges including fraud, breach of trust and tax evasion, making him the first former prime minister in the country’s history to face criminal charges.
He was formally indicted on three counts of corruption, including charges of fraud, breach of trust, cronyism, falsifying corporate records and tax evasion, the State Prosecutor’s Office said.
Following months of investigation, Olmert faces indictment in three cases, the first of which involves accepting cash envelopes from US businessman Morris Talansky.
Olmert is also suspected of illegally double-billing charities and a government ministry for the same flights he booked through Rishon Tours, sending them falsified receipts for travel expenses and using the surplus to finance personal and family trips abroad.
The third case popularly known as ‘The Investments Center affair’ relates to allegations that the former premier granted personal favours to his old law partner, Uri Messer, who was acting on behalf of a company, an act which would constitute a conflict of interest, breach of trust, and fraud.
All the three cases are from the time he served as Mayor of Jerusalem and Minister for Trade, Industry and Labour.
—Agencies