Yaron Zelicha
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Micha Lindenstraus
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Comptroller prevents firing of corruption investigator
State Comproller Lindenstraus orders Finance Minister not to fire Dr Yaron Zelicha, accountant responsible for prime minister's corruption investigations
Finance Minister Ron Bar-On cannot fire Dr Yaron Zelicha, the general accountant in his office who is leading corruption investigations, following a temporary injunction issued by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstraus.
Dr Zelicha complained to the comptroller of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's questionable behavior in the Bank Leumi affair which paved the way for the investigation into the matter.
The government was supposed to discuss the Finance Minister's request to approve his new appointment for general accountant Shuki Oren this Sunday.
Bar-On's office has announced that the minister will obey the temporary injunction he has received and the confirmation of his new choice for general accountant will be postponed.
Members of Knesset Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) and MK Arieh Eldad (National Union-National Religious) complained to the comptroller regarding Zelicha's firing. They accused people of harassing the accountant because of his corruption investigations. Following these complaints, Lindenstraus decided to open an investigation into the matter.
The general accountant requested to remain at his post for a short period of time in order to complete some reforms that he initiated which are meant to provide more transparency and better governance.
In his decision, Comptroller Lindenstraus said that he was seeking further proof that Dr Zelicha was not being fired because of his corruption investigations.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
