U.S. Businessman Questioned in Olmert Corruption Case

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Lawyers for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel began their cross-examination on Thursday of a Long Island businessman and fund-raiser at the heart of a corruption case involving Mr. Olmert, trying to chip away at the witness’s credibility and taking aim at the state prosecutors and police.

The cross-examination is widely seen here as the last possible means of salvaging Mr. Olmert’s reputation and political career after the witness, Morris Talansky, gave damaging preliminary testimony here in May.

Mr. Talansky, a resident of Woodsburgh in Nassau County and a frequent visitor to Israel, testified that he had given Mr. Olmert about $150,000, mostly in cash. Mr. Talansky said he made the payments between 1992 and late 2005, years when Mr. Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem and a government minister. He became prime minister in 2006.

Mr. Olmert has acknowledged receiving money from Mr. Talansky but insists that the payments were all legitimate campaign contributions. Mr. Talansky said some of the money went to pay for personal expenses. Mr. Talansky denies having sought or received any favors in return.

Mr. Olmert, who is embroiled in several police inquiries, is being investigated for fraud and breach of trust, among other things. He has pledged to resign if charged."

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[babylonsister]

1. Hmmm. Olmert sounds too crooked. To me. nt