Olmert's former bureau chief questioned by police

Shula Zaken questioned for second time in less than a week in recent investigation launched against her former boss
Efrat Weiss

Shula Zaken, the former head of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Office, was questioned under caution on Sunday at the Bat Yam headquarters of the National Fraud Investigation Unit for the second time in less than a week.

PM Responds

Olmert: Rumors against me malicious, wicked / Roni Sofer

(Video) Prime minister comments on recent police investigation against him, says that once things clear up, suspicions will vanish. Olmert vows to continue fulfilling his duties as required

Full Story

Zaken was questioned as a suspect in the fresh investigation that was launched against Olmert, the details of which have not been released due to a court-issued gag order.

The prime minister himself was questioned in the case on Friday. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said that the Justice Ministry has yet to raise the possibility of Olmert's suspension from office.

Zaken was suspended from her post as bureau chief about a year ago after police suspected her of having been involved in the appointment of senior officials at the Israeli Tax Authority, and of taking advantage of this to grant tax benefits to her cronies.

President Shimon Peres told Ynet, "All my life I have believed that certain matters should be left to the judges, and not to ministers or presidents, so I will not address this affair."