JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s attorney general informed Ehud Olmert that he plans to indict him on fraud charges.
Menahem Mazuz told the prime minister’s attorney Sunday evening that he would file an indictment on charges that include fraud, breach of public trust and receiving illegal funds from American businessman Moshe Talansky, the Israeli media is reporting. Mazuz did not mention bribery among the charges.
Olmert would be the first Israeli prime minister to be indicted.
He can seek a final hearing in a bid to change Mazuz’s mind. Mazuz said former Olmert bureau chief Shula Zaken also could be indicted.
Olmert remains the prime minister until Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu forms a government coalition. He stepped down last fall after a series of scandals and investigations forced his resignation.
The prime minister is alleged, among other things, of double billing travel expenses and using the money to finance family vacations, accepting envelopes stuffed with cash from Talansky and being involving in a crooked real estate deal.
Police investigators on Feb. 27 questioned Olmert for the 16th time.
