25/09/2012 09:35
Former Israeli PM receives suspended sentence
Ehud Olmert has received a fine of $19,170 and a one-year suspended sentence after being convicted of breach of trust, RT reported.
State prosecutors had recommended six-months and community service for the former PM of Israel, after being found guilty on charges he received bribes while he served as industry, trade and labor minister over 10 years ago.
The verdict did not find him guilty of “moral turpitude”, leaving Olmert free to re-enter politics, should he desire.
The first criminal trial of the former Israeli premier stole the headlines with accounts of cash-stuffed envelopes making their way into Olmert’s pockets and a lifestyle of luxury hotels and expensive cars.
Among other charges were allegations of receiving $150,000 in bribes from a US businessman and Israeli charities during his tenure as a cabinet minister and as mayor of Jerusalem.
The judges, however, said the prosecution failed to prove the payments received by Olmert before he became prime minister were illegal.
These very charges forced Olmert to resign from the country’s top job in 2008.