Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 8:56:09 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

The Long Island Rabbi Who Toppled Olmert

Posted Sep 15, 08 5:33 PM CDT in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – Morris Talansky counted Ehud Olmet as a true friend, and he says his devotion was returned. The nature of the longstanding relationship between the Long Island rabbi and the Israeli prime minister varies according to who’s describing it, Steve Fishman writes in New York. But what everyone agrees on is that the way Talansky showed his devotion—"cash envelopes" adding up to $150,000—was key in driving Olmert out of office.

Talansky told Israeli police that the cash was for campaign contributions, loans, and friendly gifts. But the ensuing testimony has tarred Talansky's reputation and was of no help to the besieged Olmert, who plans to step down after elections set for Wednesday. Talansky blames the media. “I’m a victim in all this,” insists the man one paper called “Olmert’s ATM.” “Definitely.”

Source New York

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Olmert Will Face Corruption Charges

    Nov 26, 08 1:26 PM CST
    Olmert Will Face Corruption Charges Outgoing PM Ehud Olmert will be charged with fraud, abuse of confidence, and falsification of documents, Israel’s attorney general said today, a move that could force Olmert to leave office sooner than his intended February departure, the Times reports. The scandal—involving Olmert’s political appointments, travel expenses, and a real-estate deal—is one of several that forced him to resign. More »

  • Olmert Announces Resignation

    Sep 21, 08 6:26 AM CDT
    Scandal-plagued Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced today that he will step down. "This was not an easy decision," he said. Olmert, who faces criminal corruption charges, must now submit his resignation to President Shimon Peres, but he may remain as a caretaker prime minister for weeks or even months as a new government is formed, Reuters reports. Olmert's likely successor will be Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who has replaced him as Kadima party leader.
    More »

  • Barak Calls for Olmert to Quit

    May 28, 08 6:41 AM CDT
    Barak Calls for Olmert to Quit Israel's defense minister told Ehud Olmert to take a leave of absence or step down while he battles corruption charges, reports the BBC, and threatened to leave the country's governing coalition if he refused. "The prime minister needs to disconnect himself from the day-to-day management of the government," said Ehud Barak. A US businessman testified yesterday that he gave $150,000 in contributions to Olmert in the last 15 years, the Guardian reports. More »

  • I Took Cash, No Bribes: Olmert

    May 9, 08 7:29 AM CDT
    Ehud Olmert resisted calls for his resignation today, after admitting on national TV last night that he accepted contributions from a New York businessman—but denying that any of it was a bribe. Olmert, under criminal investigation for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Long Island millionaire Morris Talansky while he was mayor of Jerusalem and minister of industry, vowed to resign if indicted. More »

Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky was a key witness in a corruption case that helped drive Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from office.   (AP Photo)
Lawyers representing Ehud Olmert cross-examined Talansky, a key witness in a corruption probe against the Israeli prime minister, hoping to discredit the rabbi's allegations.   (AP Photo)
In this 2003 file photo, American businessman Morris Talansky, right, stands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.   (AP Photo)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks at a ceremony in Latrun, central Israel, Thursday, May 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Israel • Ehud Olmert • campaign contributions • corruption charges • rabbi • Morris Talansky


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »