Olmert probe revealed in US publication

holyland red

May 6, 2008 -- A Long Island mogul is at the center of a sensational bribery scandal that could bring down embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, The Post has learned.

Millionaire financier Morris Talansky - who runs an investment firm out of his tony home in Woodmere - allegedly passed money to Olmert while the politician was mayor of Jerusalem in the '90s, sources said.

In a highly unusual move, Israeli authorities have barred the country's media from publishing Talansky's name - revealed now in The Post - saying it could hamper their investigation. Israeli media has referred only to the involvement of an "American businessman."

Talansky is apparently set to sing to Israeli authorities about his alleged role in the scheme, sources said.

"It looks serious, and it looks like they have a state witness" in Talansky, one source said.

Talansky - a philanthropist and political contributor to everyone from Rudy Giuliani to Bill Clinton - is in Jerusalem, where he has an apartment, preparing to head to a closed-door court hearing as early as today, sources said.

The 75-year-old was earlier questioned about the alleged scheme almost immediately after arriving in the country for Passover, and he implicated Olmert, sources have said.

It was unclear what the alleged payments to Olmert were for, but sources said they involved hefty amounts of cash.

Talansky repeatedly appears - sometimes under the nickname "The Laundry Man" - in the logs of financial dealings kept by Olmert's longtime aide, Shula Zakan, a source said.

Olmert was grilled by investigators Friday. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The allegations are only the latest in a string of woes for Olmert, who has battled past charges of government corruption and questionable personal business practices.

"But this time seems very serious, and it seems eventually, we don't know if it will be days, weeks or months, in the end, he may not be able to continue to be prime minister," one source said.

A man answering the phone at Talansky's multimillion-dollar mansion in Woodmere yesterday said, "He's not available."

Talansky lists himself as CEO of the Global Resources Group, a self-described financial-investment firm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062008...ink_109573.htm

Amir

Some people in Israel are quite desperate to get rid of Olmert, fearing he'll give up lands in a peace deal with the Palestenians or Syria. That's the root of it all. I'm afraid our own police and court have become pawns in the political game.

holyland red

It's true that many want to get rid of Olmert, including those who oppose further territorial concessions at this stage. However, that's hardly the root of it, as there seem to be mounting evidence for wrong-doings spanning over years and years.
I'm afraid, together with many others, that Olmert could rush into hasty political decisions in order to deflect the growing criticism of his personal conduct. When similar allegations against Sharon surfaced he ended up pulling out of Gaza, which we have since learned was a mistake at least in the way it was carried out.

Amir

There MAY have been wrong doings by Olmert, but why is it so many cases have surfaced in the past two years, in this case one about something he may or may not have done ten years ago? There's someone, somewhere, digging up every bit of dirt they can on him in an attempt to make sure he's forced to resign, I'm certain of that.

holyland red

I'm not saying there isn't, but:
1. If he had done wrong he has to go, regardless of who has done the dirt-digging.
2. For all I know, it could well be the work of the same people who did their best to bring down Ramon for practically nothing. Their motive might be very different to the one you referred to in your first post.

Amir

Oh, I'm not saying that prime ministers should be given 'free passes' if they broke the law. But I was also thinking about Ramon and the rather wierd charge brought against him and also the timing in which it happened. It seems to happen more and more nowadays and quite frankly I'm more worried about the state attorney, police and courts being used to block moves by the government (Ramon was planning a major change when he became minister of justice) than some bribe someone may or may not have taken ten years ago.

holyland red

I think our last 5 PMs, representing both sides of the political spectrum, have been under police investigation at some stage. Still, none of them has been charged. However, this time the accumulation of investigation coupled with similar charges against some of his closest political allyes suggest this man is not the best choice for guiding our ship in the turbulant ME water.

Amir

Problem is, the other options - unless someone from Olmert's party steps into his shoes - are dreadful, absolutely dreadful. Besides, Olmert's a United fan, so he should have the RedCafe's backing!

DoctorEvil

Who can replace him at his party? Livni? I see no other options.

Amir

She's the only realistic option, but there are several other people at Olmert's party who see themselves leading it. Livni will definately be the quick-fix if it comes to that, but longer term, who knows. It's a new generation of leaders, and not a particularly impressive one.