MK Hanegbi refuses to resign despite corruption charges

[Englander]

By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent

Kadima MK Tzachi Hanegbi on Monday announced that he will not step down from his role as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, hours after he was indicted for political appointment he made during his tenure as environment minister.

Many MKs have voiced their opinion that Hanegbi must resign or, at the very least, suspend himself from his position as head of the committee.

Hanegbi's attorney Yaakov Weinrot said he supported his client's decision to refuse resignation, adding that there was no connection between the charges of the indictment and Hanegbi's position on the committee.

Hanegbi is being charged with fraud and breach of trust, election bribery, attempting to influence voters, false testimony and perjury.

"There is no stain, certainly not criminal, on my conduct as environment minister, conduct that was no different from that of dozens of ministers acting dozens of years before me," Hanegbi told Army Radio.

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Haaretz

[Scurrilous]

1. State comptroller to urge criminal probe into Olmert

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"A team of investigators from the State Comptroller's Office questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for 45 minutes yesterday in his office regarding suspicions he had received a bribe in connection with the acquisition of a home on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem.

The comptroller's report on the matter, expected to be ready in a few weeks, will serve as the basis for Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to recommend a criminal investigation against Olmert.

Meanwhile, Mazuz is considering a criminal investigation against Olmert in connection with two other real estate deals; one in the neighborhood of Nahlaot in Jerusalem and the other in Sheinkin Street in Tel Aviv.

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss is investigating suspicions that Olmert and his wife Aliza received $500,000 as a result of an unusually high discount in the purchase of their garden apartment on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/766874.html