Israel PM suspected of accepting cash from US millionaire

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel's Supreme Court heard on Monday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of personally accepting envelopes stuffed with cash from a US businessman in the latest scandal to embroil the premier.

State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said the alleged cash payments took place when Olmert was trade and industry minister between 2003 and 2006.

Lador was speaking at a Supreme Court hearing to decide whether to allow prosecutors to take preliminary sworn testimony from millionaire financier Morris Talansky.

Olmert "allegedly received cash money from Talansky both in Israel, through his bureau chief in the trade and industry ministry, and in the United States," Lador said during the hearing.

He said the funds were allegedly transferred "both...