State prosecutor: Progress in Lieberman investigation
Lador tells reporters his office received documentation that 'helps understand entirety of the events,' hinting that it substantiates evidence against foreign minister in bribery affair
State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said Wednesday that his office recently obtained new documentation that has advanced the investigation against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is suspected of money laundering, fraud, bribery, breach of trust, and fraudulent receipt of goods.
"Last week, the State Attorney's office received the results of a significant investigation that helps understand the entirety of the events, and will help us make a decision," Lador told reporters, hinting that the document contains proof that substantiates the evidence already compiled against the Yisrael Beitenu chairman.
The State Attorney also mentioned a document his office had received two months prior "that will also help," he said. "The legal adviser to the government already has that document."
The legal adviser is expected to announce his decision on the matter soon.
In August 2009, police recommended that Lieberman be put on trial for taking bribes, fraudulently receiving goods, obstructing justice, harassing witnesses, and laundering millions of shekels through a number of shell companies and bank accounts.
Police estimated that Lieberman pocketed some NIS 10 million (about $2.6M) in bribes.
'No violation of accepted protocols'
Lador also addressed State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss' scathing report regarding wiretapping in the affair involving former Minister Haim Ramon.
The Ramon affair involved him kissing an IDF officer against her will on the first day of the 2006 Lebanon War. The woman later filed a complaint over the case, and Ramon was convicted of performing an indecent act.
In his report. the comptroller said that personal conclusions should be considered in respect to police and prosecution officials involved in the case, including former head of the Fraud Investigation Unit Miri Golan, head of special investigative team Eran Kamin, and Tel Aviv District Prosecutor Ruth David (who petitioned the High Court of Justice over the case.)
Wiretapped information related to the Ramon affair was not handed over to his defense attorneys and was ignored by prosecution officials, in contradiction of regulations. The comptroller said that District Prosecutor David signed the indictment without first reviewing the wiretapped material as required. She proceeded to submit the indictment without considering all the relevant information in the affair, he said.
Lador said David had not violated any accepted protocols, but added that she should have asked for the wiretapped information. "David did not display the curiosity and suspicion she and others are expected of, and in this sense she erred," he said.
