Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert Sentenced To Another Eight Months For Corruption

Former Israeli PM Jailed Again For Corruption
|

Ex-Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has been sentenced to a further eight months in prison after being found guilty of fraud.

The case was a retrial of the former politician's acquittal of the charges in 2012. Last year he was also sentenced to six years for accepting bribes from a US businessman.

Serving from 2006 to 2009, the Kadima politician was forced to resign from the country's top position when allegations of his past fraudulence arose. Despite high profile characters such asTony Blair and former Mossad chief Meir Dagan testifying in his favour, Olmert was found guilty of accepting bribes in 2014 and sentenced to six years.

Olmert is said to have accepted cash-stuffed envelopes from US businessman Morris Talansky while serving as Mayor of Jerusalem.

Open Image Modal

American businessman Morris Talansky is seen in the District court in Jerusalem in 2008

Talansky's bribes, which exceeded $600,000, were supposedly made in relation to a controversial "Holyland" housing project in Jerusalem and for undisclosed "political reasons" during Olmert's tenure as mayor.

"He was the guest of my credit card," Talansky said. "I only know that he loved expensive cigars. I know he loved pens, watches. I found it strange."

In addition to the prison sentence, the former PM was fined 100,000 shekels (£16,000). He has not yet served any time in prison, having been granted his freedom while appeals are made against the rulings.

Olmert still denies any wrongdoing, claiming the case is "a brutal, ruthless witch-hunt", and his legal team plan to fight the decision in Israel's Supreme Court.

Israeli Election 2015
(01 of14)
Open Image Modal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets supporters at the party's election headquarters In Tel Aviv. Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of14)
Open Image Modal
Zionist Union party co-leader Isaac Herzog arrives at the party's election headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of14)
Open Image Modal
Ultra-Orthodox Jews line up to vote in Bnei Brak, Israel, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
(04 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Israeli soldier votes at a military base in the settlement of Gush Etzion, West Bank, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
(05 of14)
Open Image Modal
Bedouin women wait to cast their votes at a polling station in the town of Rahat, Mar. 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
(06 of14)
Open Image Modal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote during Israel's parliamentary elections in Jerusalem, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)
(07 of14)
Open Image Modal
Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog accompanied by his wife Michal casts his vote in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
(08 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Israeli settler poses for a picture next to a poster of leader of the Jewish Home party Naftali Bennett outside a polling station on election day on March 17, 2015 in the Jewish settelment of Ofra, West Bank. (credit:Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
(09 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Israeli border policeman votes in Hebron, West Bank, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
(10 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Israeli settler votes, with the help of a child, in the settlement of Efrat, West Bank, March 17, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
(11 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Arab Israeli woman and child are seen outside a polling station on election day on March 17, 2015 in Abu Gush, Israel. (credit:Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
(12 of14)
Open Image Modal
A poster of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen next to Israel's West Bank barrier on election day on March 17, 2015, next to the Palestinian village of Hizme, West Bank. (credit: Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
(13 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Israeli settler and her son cast their ballot at a polling station on election day on March 17, 2015 in the Jewish settelment of Ofra, West Bank. (credit:Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
(14 of14)
Open Image Modal
An Ultra Orthodox Jew casts his vote at a polling statin in Mea Shearim neighborhood during legislative election in Jerusalem, Israel on March 17, 2015. (credit:Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)