Friday, June 06, 2008

Olmert's' Diary: $23,000 to Ex-Minister Hirschson


Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's personal diary revealed that he paid out $23,000 in cash to Avraham Hirschson, the former Finance Minister from the Kadima party, journalist Yoav Yitzchak reported on his Hebrew NFC new site Thursday night. Hirschson was indicted Wednesday for fraud and embezzlement.

Hirschson was a minister in the Sharon government when he allegedly received the money in local currency, amounting to approximately 100,000 shekels from the "large kitty" that was used to dole out money to selected individuals. The money is not necessarily part of the $150,000 that the Prime Minister received from American businessman Moshe Talansky, who testified in an advanced hearing last week. After returning to the United States to be with his ailing wife, Talansky returned to Israel Thursday for his grandchild's wedding. Talansky is to be cross-examined next month by attorneys for Prime Minister Olmert, when he is expected for another family event. Talansky is unlikely to testify in connection with the investigation of Prime MInister Ehud Olmert on his current trip, sources said Thursday.

Yitzchak reported that "Olmert's diary" was written by his right-hand aide Shula Zaken, who so far has chosen the "right to remain silent" during police questioning. The police have confiscated the diary along with hundreds of other documents.

The revelation raises suspicion that Talansky's money transfers may have only been "small change" and that the "large kitty" was funded by other sources. Police investigators are in the United States to examine bank accounts and bank transfers and either have questioned or will question a billionaire friend of Prime Minister Olmert.
Thanks Arutz Sheva

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