Global News : Passport : Ricks : Drezner : Walt : Rothkopf : Lynch
The Cable : The AfPak Blog : Net Effect : Shadow Govt. : Madam Secretary : The Call
Israeli PM has expensive habits

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been tackling a whole set of challenges of late, from opening talks with Syria to pursuing a peace settlement with the Palestinians. His biggest challenge, however, may be in the Israeli courts. Long Island millionaire Morris Talansky (left) alleged today that he gave Olmert at least $150,000, mostly in cash, over the past 13 years.
Talanksy -- who denied receiving anything in return for these contributions -- had some interesting thoughts on where his money may have gone:
I only know that he loved expensive cigars," Mr. Talansky told the court. "I know he loved pens, watches. I found it strange."
The testimony is part of a larger political corruption investigation, with some claiming that Olmert has taken $500,000 in illegal campaign contributions or outright bribes. Brooklyn assemblyman Dov Hikind, once a friend of the prime minister, said he saw Olmert receive an envelope full of cash at a fundraiser while the latter was mayor of Jerusalem.
On the bright side, should these charges prove to be false, Olmert will have a collection of fine cigars to celebrate his acquittal.













Recent comments
40 min 24 sec ago
19 hours 39 min ago
1 day 1 hour ago
1 day 3 hours ago
1 day 5 hours ago
1 day 14 hours ago
1 day 15 hours ago
1 day 15 hours ago
1 day 20 hours ago
1 day 21 hours ago