Former Israeli Prime Minister, Olmert, Jerusalem Mayor Lupolianski, to Be Tried for Corruption, Bribery, Money Laundering

Former Jerusalem Mayor Arrested For Corruption, Bribery And Money Laundering

Olmert, Main Suspect In Corruption Case

Friday April 16, 2010 04:06 by Saed Bannoura - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

On Thursday, an Israeli court lifted a gag order over the case of “Holy Land” corruption scandal revealing that the main suspect in this case is Israel’s former Prime Minister, former Jerusalem Mayor, Ehud Olmert.

Olmert will be investigated once again in the coming days under the suspicion of accepting bribes and betraying public trust.

Olmert is believed to have received bribes that mount to hundreds of thousands of Israeli Shekels when he was the mayor of Jerusalem in return for approving the
“Holy Land” residential construction plan for Jewish settlers of East Jerusalem.

The Police believes that dozens of millions were paid to figures at the municipality to fully approve the construction plan and over look administrative details.

The Police added that Olmert received bribes three times from the investor when he served as the mayor, and as a Minister of Trade and Industry.

When serving as a minister, Olmert received bribes to push approval for constructions in Keryat Shmone settlement, and another projects near Tel Aviv.

He received checks from attorney Uri Maysor who has been in custody since last week. Maysor and Olmert are also suspected of involvement in several other corruption cases.

On Wednesday, the Israeli police arrested former Jerusalem mayor, Uri Lupolianski, on suspicions of corruption, bribery, and money laundering.

The Israeli police believes that Lupolianski is involved in the new corruption case known as “Holy Land” along with former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.

Lupolianski still denies any involvement in corruption or bribery. He is believed to have taken money to change planning laws in order to allow the construction of large, not well designed, apartment blocks in Jerusalem.

He is believed to have received bribes estimated by 500.000 NIS by the year 1999, and additional 1.4 Million NIS and 30.000 USD between the years of 2000 and 2006.

Former Jerusalem Mayor Arrested For Corruption, Bribery And Money Laundering

Thursday April 15, 2010 12:58 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli police arrested on Wednesday former Jerusalem mayor, Uri Lupolianski, on suspicions of corruption, bribery, and money laundering. He will remain in custody for 5 days pending further investigation.

The Israeli police believes that Lupolianski is involved in the new corruption case known as “Holy Land” along with former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.

Lupolianski still denies any involvement in corruption or bribery. He is believed to have taken money to change planning laws in order to allow the construction of large, not well designed, apartment blocks in Jerusalem.

He is currently under interrogation on suspicion of conspiracy, breach of trust, taking bribes, fraud, and tax offenses.

The police sated that tens of millions were paid to senior officials at the Jerusalem municipality in order to push for the approval of the “Holy Land” project.

Previously, the police arrested attorney Uri Maysor on involvement that he bribed a senior official at the Jerusalem municipality. The name of the official who received the bribe remained classified. The issue took place when Olmert was the mayor of Jerusalem.

The Israeli police is accusing Lupolianski of receiving some 500.000 New Israeli Shekels until the year 1999, and some 1.4 Million and 30.000 USD between the years of 2000 and 2006. The money was used to pay for political activists who ran the municipality elections campaign in 2003.