PM Olmert
Photo: Emil Salman
Olmert questioned for 13th time
National Fraud Unit investigators arrive at prime minister's home yet again. Attorney General Mazuz to be briefed as soon as session ends
National Fraud Unit investigators arrived at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's home Friday morning, for the 13th time. Olmert stands to be questioned for about 3 hours, after which Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will be briefed by police.
Olmert was questioned last week as well, on alleged political appointments in Israel's Small and Medium Enterprise Authority (SMEA) during his tenure as industry, trade and labor minister. The investigation into this matter was launched following a State Comptroller's Office recommendation.
The State Prosecutor's Office previously stated that it believes it has a strong case against the prime minister in the Rishon Tours double-billing affair.
In the Bank Leumi affair, Olmert was suspected of having intervened in the sale of part of the government's shares in the bank on behalf of a potential buyer, a business friend of his. The friend in question was represented in Israel by a law office previously owned by the father of Olmert's daughter-in-law, and a consultant for the office who was a personal friend of the family.
The State decided to close the Bank Leumi investigation against Olmert – who was suspected of using his influence to ensure a business acquaintance won the bank's privatization tender – citing lack of evidence.
