Ehud Olmert's graft trial suspended until February

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Former prime minister Ehud Olmert's graft trial was suspended to February, during the first court proceedings at the Jerusalem District Court on Friday morning.

Olmert and his former bureau chief Shula Zaken are standing trial for the cash envelopes, Rishon Tours and Investment Center affairs.
They will not face charges of bribery, as the police had recommended to prosecutors. The former prime minister is suspected of accepting cash envelopes from American businessman Morris Talansky.

He is also accused of illegally double-billing charities and a government ministry for the same flights he booked through Rishon Tours, sending them falsified receipts for travel expenses and using the surplus to finance personal and family trips abroad.

The Investments Center affair concerns allegations that Olmert granted personal favors to his old law partner, Uri Messer, who was acting on behalf of a company, which would constitute a conflict of interest, breach of trust, and fraud.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1117040.html