Big surprise...
Lindenstrauss: Olmert Suspected of More Criminal Offenses
by Gil Ronen
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/122233(IsraelNN.com) State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss' latest report details suspicions of criminal activity by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, when he was Industry, Trade and Labor Minister. Lindenstrauss intends to hand over his report to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz with a recommendation to prosecute Olmert.
According to the report, Olmert "worked intensively to grant substantial benefits to the clients of a lawyer whom he is closely associated with."
The report – which is separate from a previous report by Lindenstrauss on the house Olmert bought at Cremieux Street – deals with the years 2001 – 2003, when Olmert headed the extremely powerful Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. It goes into great detail regarding the ways in which Olmert allegedly used his influence to obtain for a factory called TS Silicate a NIS 10 million grant from the government although it was not eligible for it, and additional benefits worth 16 million NIS.
Lindenstrauss' report says TS Silicate had received many grants from the ministry's Center for Investment from 1992 onwards but lost its status as an "Approved Manufacturer" (mifal meushar) in 1997. Olmert allegedly applied pressure to reinstate its “approved” status in 2003, so that the plant would again be eligible to receive government grants.
At the time, the business' interests were represented by Attorney Uri Meser – a former partner of Olmert's, his lawyer at the time and to this day. Meser headed the nonprofit group to elect Olmert as mayor of Jerusalem in 1998. Despite this, Olmert did not disqualify himself from direct involvement in the matter.
MK Gilad Erdan (Likud) asked Olmert to "have mercy on the citizens of Israel" and leave the Prime Minister's Office
"Olmert's conflict of interest, his involvement and that of his aides in matters which are within the purview and authority of the professional elements in the Center for Investment should be viewed with the utmost severity," wrote Lindenstrauss.
Olmert's bureau reacted to the report by attacking Lindenstrauss, saying that Olmert had long since lost trust in Lindenstrauss and therefore had no expectations of him, adding that the Comptroller is "motivated by a love of the limelight." His lawyers wrote a letter to AG Mazuz in which they described Lindenstrauss' actions as "evil."
MK Limor Livnat (Likud) said in response that "Olmert's unprecedented attack on the State Comptroller should be rejected outright. No diversionary tactics will absolve the prime minister of the need to give relevant answers to this serious report."
MK Zevulun Orlev (NU/NRP) called upon Olmert to suspend himself from his office in light of the serious charges. Gilad Erdan (Likud) asked Olmert to "have mercy on the citizens of Israel" and leave the Prime Minister's Office. MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz) called on Olmert to resign.
Topic: "Olmert Suspected of More Criminal Offenses" (Read 3553 times)