A lawyer for a key figure in the corruption investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday his client was not expected to attend a Long Island court hearing on misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a dispute over a dentist's bill.
Earlier reports had said Morris Talansky failed to show up for his court date.
Attorney Anthony Colleluori said court administrators knew his client was in Israel attending a wedding and aiding prosecutors looking into allegations the prime minister took envelopes stuffed with cash.
Talansky has a home in Woodmere. He is facing charges that he scuffled with his dentist after getting into an argument over his bill. The dentist also claims the 75-year-old Talansky left threatening telephone messages.
Colleluori said he expects Talansky will appear at his next court date in July.
Talansky testified he had handed over sums, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 at a time, in Israel or in New York hotel suites during visits Olmert made to the US before becoming prime minister and is expected to return to Israel in July for a cross examination by Olmert's legal team.