Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (Courtesy Haaretz) |
JERUSALEM – In the latest scandal linking the Israeli leader to government corruption, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert allegedly intervened in 2004 beyond his position as then-industry and trade minister in the sale of a port that was greatly undervalued using questionable methods, according to a state comptroller's report.
Israeli Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss also slammed the country's police and the attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, for the "ease and frequency" of decisions to dismiss criminal complaints without investigation. Mazuz many times has closed corruption investigations on government officials, including Olmert.
Lindenstrauss's report, released yesterday, outlined what he called the "over involvement" of Olmert, who chaired the Israel Land Council as minister of industry and trade, in the sale of commercial properties at Jaffa Port near Tel Aviv.
Olmert served as industry and trade minister under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's administration from 2003 until 2005. He was mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003 and was elected prime minister in March after taking over the Kadima Party following Sharon's stroke in January.
The Jaffa properties were designated by government lands authorities to be sold by competitive bidding, but Olmert allegedly reversed the decision and oversaw the sale for about $2.3 million. The properties reportedly were worth more than $13.5 million.
The comptroller states Olmert overstepped his duties as minister and failed to notify the Israel Lands Council of his involvement in the sale, which the report calls a conflict of interest.
The Israeli comptroller goes on to accuse Mazuz and the Israeli police of "undermining the rule of law" by dismissing criminal cases without warrant. The report claimed 34 percent of criminal files were dismissed last year even though they could have been investigated. In 42 percent of those cases, no explanation was offered as to why cases were being closed. Often "lack of public interest" was listed as a reason.
Mazuz was cited for failing to draw up guidelines for what kinds of complaints should be pursued.
Mazuz, who has decided not to prosecute scores of politicians in the past, is debating whether to bring charges against Olmert for questionable political appointments and allegedly illegal use of government tenders also while he was industry and trade minister.
As WND reported, Mazuz' office also has been brought a criminal investigation of top Kadima Party official Shimon Peres for allegedly violating campaign-finance laws last year. Peres allegedly accepted illegal donations from three billionares with close ties to Israel's economy.
Olmert, who recently signed a public petition against government corruption has been implicated in multiple government corruption scandals.
One investigation which has received much media play in Israel involves political appointments allegedly coordinated by Olmert with former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son and former Knesset member, Omri. The state was asked to investigate the younger Sharon following a recent television report airing excerpts from Omri's diary concerning a large number of political appointments allegedly aimed at shoring up support for his father while he was prime minister.
The diary allegedly listed a series of politicians whose support Ariel Sharon needed for various votes and legislation. The diary excerpts detailed the methods used by Omri Sharon to arrange appointments and in some cases revealed close ties between the appointments and Olmert.
One section of the diary dates from August 2004, when Sharon's party, then-Likud, was due to vote on the prime minister's move to bring the opposition Labor Party into the ruling coalition. Omri Sharon listed in his journal several committee members whose support was crucial for the vote and reportedly made notes on the steps needed to win their votes.
He allegedly wrote he needed to find "a directorship for (Likud member) Shlomo Ben Amra" and determine whether a similar appointment for Likud member Rahamim Eden "has already been signed."
According to the television report, Eden indeed was appointed to the board of a government agency shortly after Omri Sharon's diary entry.
Omri Sharon in the diary also reminded himself to "meet with Ehud (Olmert) about (Likud member) Yigal Yosef," as well as with a top Olmert adviser on the same subject.
Yosef eventually was given a top job in Olmert's Industry Ministry.
Related offer:
Definitive work on Mideast – available only here!
Previous stories:
Peres' ties to groups 'controlling economy' in question
Israeli PM a tool of oligarchs?
12 groups 'control 60 percent of Israel
Olmert signs petition against corruption
Olmert's family blasted as 'pacifists, army deserters'
Olmert corruption report delayed for elections?
Jericho raid an election ploy by Olmert?