Talansky: Olmert Preferred Cash to Checks

Source: Al-Manar TV, 27-5-2008
American businessman Morris Talansky, the key witness in the recent police investigation against "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, arrived at the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday for his pre-trial deposition in the case.
Talansky's deposition - which will be considered as trial testimony in any future legal proceeding in the case, should an indictment by filed - was given in English before a three-judge panel.
Talansky began his testimony by recounting his relationship with Olmert since their beginning. Talansky obliged, telling the court the two first met when he was raising funds during the Gulf War. Olmert was serving as health minister at the time.
"We became close. We used to call him 'the prince of Likud.' I truly loved him," he told the court.
In 1992, said Talansky, he asked Olmert what kind of financial assistance he needed in the mayorship bid: "I said I would help him. I asked him why I couldn't just right him a check and he said it was because of the way the money was routed. So I gave him cash." "It never even occurred to me that I would have any personal stake. I kept funneling funds through (former Olmert bureau chief) Shula Zaken until 2005, including when he was trade, industry and Labor minister."
When asked who he gave the money to, Talansky said: "I gave it to Shula Zaken, but I remember he was with her at least once. I gave the money in envelops, but no more than $8,000 or $9,000. Back in the States I also gave him money directly," he replied.
When asked if he had any knowledge on what Olmert was using the money for, he said: "Shula always said he had expenses... Olmert said in the funds were used for primary expenses. When he traveled, they would only give him business class seats and not first class seats. I know some of the money was spent on that. I know some went to but cigars. He likes expensive cigars, expensive pens."
Talansky's deposition was set to clarify many of the questions surrounding his relationship with Olmert, especially pertaining to the alleged illegal financial transactions between the two. Sources familiar with the case said that given the complexity of the case, Talansky's deposition may take up to three days.
The State Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday that despite the hustle caused by Talansky's testimony, it was too early to tell whether or not the State can use it in trial.