Shula Zaken. Can't remember
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Yossi Olmert. To be investigated in the US
Photo: Eldad Refaeli
The Holyland real estate development
Photo: Shlomi Cohen, Yedioth Jerusalem
Holyland: Zaken's version of events puzzling
Police start preparations for final stretch of investigations in corruption affair. Investigators will leave for US next week to take testimony of former prime minister's brother, Yossi Olmert. Former prime minister will also provide his version of events
Just two days after the last suspects in the Holyland corruption affair were released from police custody and just prior to former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's police testimony, law enforcement officials say in a conversation with Ynet that Olmert's former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, "provided puzzling version of some of the suspicions against her."
The law enforcement officials involved in the investigation said that the police's suspicions were raised that Zaken could have received valuable furniture from the Holyland project leaders in addition to the bribes she allegedly received in the form of home renovations.
The investigators arrived at Zaken's home and demanded that the source of specific pieces of furniture there be explained. In addition, they presented Zaken with suspicions regarding funds she and her family received, which Zaken claimed she does not remember where they were transferred from and from whom.
Olmert and Zaken in court. Failing memory? (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
Zaken's representative, Attorney Micha Fettman, declined comment on the matter.
The police have given high importance to Zaken's responses to these inquiries asked in a bid to fix her version of where the funds she received originated. However, the law enforcement officials said that they have already succeeded in tracking a source for at least some of the money.
"Like some of the suspects in the affair, she, too, does not remember details such as how the money came in and to which sources it is tied," the investigators noted.
Two investigators are slated to travel to the US next week in order to take the testimony of Yossi Olmert, the former prime minister's brother, on suspicions that he received between seven and nine checks that were deposited in his account in the context of the Jerusalem housing development. Estimates are that Ehud Olmert will be summoned for investigation simultaneous to the investigation abroad.
With this, investigation of the Holyland corruption affair has reached its final stretch. Up until now, police investigators have summoned some 150 different witnesses who gave their testimonies with the police in confidence. Some 100 searches were carried out under court warrants.
Police investigators have already started summarizing the evidence and findings against some of those involved in the affair so that a final report can be submitted to the State Prosecution at the earliest possible date.
