OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Agencies)
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has been indicted on three counts of corruption scandals that forced him to resign last year, the attorney general's office said on Sunday.
The charges stem from allegations he took cash payments from an American businessman, advanced the interests of clients of a former law partner and double-billed Israeli charities for overseas travel expenses during fund-raising trips.
" The attorney general has decided to press charges against former prime minister Ehud Olmert " Office of Attorney General "The attorney general... has decided to press charges against former prime minister Ehud Olmert," the office of Attorney General Menahem Mazuz said in a statement. "The charge sheet was presented today in Jerusalem district court."
Olmert has denied any wrongdoing in the cases, which relate to his terms as mayor of Jerusalem and industry and trade minister before he became Israel's leader in 2006.
The veteran politician resigned as prime minister in September last year, saying he intended to wage a legal battle to clear his name.
He remained in office through March when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-leaning government was sworn in.
The charges against Olmert include fraud, breach of trust and failure to report income, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
Olmert is the first ex-premier in Israeli history to face criminal charges. His personal secretary Shula Zaken was also indicted. |
