Olmert’s lawyers face probe over bad advice to Zaken
Businessman Alfred Akirov to also answer questions about his suspect employment of former PM's top aide
Two of former prime minister Ehud Olmert’s lawyers are facing questions over their conduct as a result of new testimony provided to authorities by Olmert’s former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, according to a report on Friday.
Both Olmert and Zaken were convicted this week in a major corruption case involving Jerusalem’s Holyland development.
Zaken claims that the two attorneys, while covertly protecting the interests of her former boss, advised her against taking a plea bargain early in the Holyland case, according to Israel’s Channel 10. They will reportedly be called in for questioning within days.
Earlier Friday, it was revealed that businessman Alfred Akirov, head of the Alrov Group, would also be questioned under caution in relation to Zaken’s new testimony.
Zaken reportedly told police on Thursday that in 2013, Akirov employed her for several months — with a monthly salary of NIS 25,000 (some $7,000) — at Olmert’s request. The implication being that Olmert was attempting to keep her quiet with Akirov’s help.
Akirov responded Friday that there was nothing untoward in his employment of Zaken as a tourism consultant for several of his hotels in Jerusalem.
The Alrov Group released a statement saying that Zaken was indeed employed, but at the rate of NIS 12,000, and that her employment ended in April, 2013.