Former Israeli PM found guilty of bribery charges

The Associated Press said any hopes for a political comeback for former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been dashed when he was convicted by a local court on bribery charges. Olmert was among the group of 13 government officials, businesspeople and developers who were accused of operating three separate schemes involving a housing project in Jerusalem. Local media had dubbed it as the biggest corruption scandal uncovered in the country.

Based on the documents about the indictment in 2012, Olmert, who was then mayor of Jerusalem and the country's minister of industry and trade, allegedly took bribes to ensure that the "Holyland" housing development would push through. AP said the development required a radical change in the country's zoning laws and saw its developers benefiting from tax breaks and other benefits.

Olmert's camp denied all accusations hurled against their client, and attempted to prove to the court that the prosecution's state witness, the late businessman Shmuel Dechner, was unreliable.

Judge David Rozen rejected Olmert's claims and wrote in his decision, "(He) tried to get the court to tarnish (the name) of the state witness, at the price of telling lies in his testimony in court."

AP said sentencing of Olmert is scheduled for April 28. His camp has already expressed plans that they will be appealing his case.

Professor of political science Tamir Sheafer at Jerusalem's Hebrew University said that despite Olmert's illustrious career as a politician and even if the court turns to his favor, the former prime minister has already damaged his reputation. He added, "The ruling is so damaging politically that even if he is somehow exonerated, his career is over. He had to come out as pure as snow to carry on."

This was not the only case filed against Olmert on allegations of public misconduct, AP said. Earlier, Olmert was indicted on accepting funds from a US supporter and had double-billed Jewish groups for his overseas trips. He was later convicted on a lesser count and got a one-year suspension, AP said.

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert bribery conviction, Holyland development fraud

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