Olmert's long-time bureau chief to be indicted
Prime Minister Ehud K. Olmert's long-time bureau chief Shula Zaken is to be indicted for her role in a bribery scandal involving the Income Tax Authority. Along with seven other people, including her brother, Zaken was informed on Thursday that subject to a preliminary hearing in which she can present her side of the story, she will be indicted.I did a lengthy post on this scandal in January 2007, which you can find here. The only question in this story seems to be why the unindicted co-conspirator, Prime Minister Ehud K. Olmert, is apparently not going to be indicted himself for his role in this one.
As for Zaken, she allegedly used her power and influence as head of then-finance minister Ehud Olmert's bureau, and, later, as head of the Prime Minister's Bureau, to appoint Matza head of the authority and to make additional appointments on lower levels. Zaken allegedly warned Matza that unless he made the appointments her brother Karshi wanted, she would prevent him from meeting with Olmert.The last time I checked, the secretary doesn't make appointments - the boss does. And while her 'warning' to Matza may not be something for which Olmert can be blamed, I don't see how a secretary could have arranged Matza's appointment in the first place - unless Olmert was in on the story.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:14 AM
1 Comments:
I think the prosecution is trying to get leverage in advance of the cross-examination later this month of Morris Talansky. If they can get Shula Zaken to turn state's witness in exchange for a reduced sentence, it could help them to indict Ehud Olmert. Right now Olmert is hoping the cross-examination of Talansky will clear him and allow him to run for re-election in the Kadima leadership primaries. I see no other reason for indicting Zaken unless to get what the state really wants: Olmert.
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