Finance Minister suspends himself over embezzlement allegations

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson announced Sunday morning to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he will suspend himself from office for three months due to the investigation being conducted against him over suspicions of embezzlement.

The suspension will begin immediately, and the finance minister position will be filled by Olmert for the time being.

Hirchson's attorney Yaakov Weinroth confirmed his client's suspension in an interview with Army Radio Sunday morning.

Olmert does not intend to dismiss Hirchson from his position, nor is he planning to appoint a replacement. In about a month, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon will complete serving a community service sentence for an indecent act conviction, and will be the leading candidate to replace Hirchson."

more

Knesset panel extends President's suspension until end of his term

<snip>

"The Knesset House Committee on Sunday extended President Moshe Katsav's temporary suspension until the end of his presidency on July 15.

The president had asked the committee to extend his suspension "until further notice," but Knesset legal advisor Nurit Elstein determined that the suspension could only be expanded for a specific period of time.

Katsav can, however, terminate the period of incapacitation at any time. In its decision, the committee criticized the president for not resigning.

The extension was approved by an 11-4 margin, with all those who voted in favor being members of the governing coalition. Most of those opposed to the measure were opposition members, and said they were opposed to extending the temporary suspension in order to bring public pressure to bear on the president to resign."

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Police probe Leiberman for fraud

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3391018,00.html

Fraud squad police say Israel Our Home chairman suspected of taking bribes, fraud and breach of faith. Suspects questioned for eight hours Sunday

<snip>

"Minister of Strategic Affair Avigdor Leiberman is suspected of accepting bribes, fraud, breach of faith and crimes in violation of laws against money laundering, police sources told Ynet Sunday after and eight-hour probe at the National Unit for Fraud Investigations offices in Bat Yam.

Throughout the day Sunday, a series of private businessmen were questioned on suspicion of involvement in the affair. Some had their premises searched, and in a number of cases materials were confiscated by police.

In the next few days investigators will review the information they have collected.

In his testimony to investigators, Leiberman completely rejected the suspicions against him.

Responding to the probe, Leiberman's spokespeople declared his innocence and said his testimony should soon clear up the suspicions against him."

[aquart]

1. I'd love to see that happen here.

[Scurrilous]

2. Comptroller calls for criminal probe into PM for financial wrongdoing

<snip>

"State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss has recommended that police investigate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on suspicion of illicitly arranging investment opportunities for friends while in a previous cabinet post, officials said Wednesday.

Lindenstrauss made the recommendation in a letter submitted to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, who is responsible for ordering high-level investigations and prosecutions, the Justice Ministry said.

The suspicions center on Olmert's tenure as industry and trade minister under former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, when he oversaw a government-level "investment centre."

Lindenstrauss said in the report that "Olmert did not refrain from dealing with issues involving his friend, former partner and current attorney, Uri Messer, who initiated the request for financial benefits from the state through the Industry Ministry's Investment Center."

The affair was first exposed in Haaretz in August 2006."

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[bemildred]

3. They are after Lieberman again today, too.

Something about a half-million being funnelled to friends.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/851861.html