Zaken denies report saying she may testify against Olmert
Channel 2 says PM's former bureau chief may turn State witness in ongoing bribery investigation as part of deal in which charges against her in Tax Authority corruption affair would be dropped. Her attorney denies report
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's
former bureau chief Shula Zaken might choose to testify against him, Channel 2 television reported Wednesday.
Zaken's attorney, Micha Pattman, as well as sources in the Justice Ministry have denied the report.
According to the report, Pattman and the State Prosecutor's Office have struck the following deal: Zaken will be deposed in connection with ongoing bribery investigation against
the prime minister, and the State will close the pending case against her, which has to do with her involvement in
alleged corruption in the Israeli Tax Authority.
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Zaken will not be required to give an affidavit prior to her deposition, and will be declared a State witness. Should the move mature, the State would also drop Zaken's name from any future indictment made in the Talansky affair.
Morris Talansky,
the State's key witness in the case, gave his pre-trial deposition in
the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday. Zaken, who was questioned by police on the matter several times, has exercised her right to remain silent, so far.
Zaken's history with Olmert goes back some 33 years. She has been his assistant and bureau chief during his tenures as Jerusalem mayor, Knesset member, industry trade and labor minister; and was by his side when he was elected prime minister. Many consider her his closest confidante.
_a.jpg "Photo: Niv Calderon")
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