MiddletownJournal.com

Lawyers cross-examine Olmert witness

JERUSALEM — Defense attorneys raised doubts Friday about the memory of an American Jewish fundraiser at the center of a corruption probe against Ehud Olmert, but did not appear to decisively undermine testimony that threatens to drive the Israeli prime minister from office.

Morris Talansky, 76, a key witness in the case against Olmert, appeared tired and frequently exasperated during his second day of cross-examination, but did not back peddle on his previous accusations. Olmert's attorneys are trying to portray Talansky as a litigious businessman with an unsavory reputation and a faulty memory.

(enlarge photo) Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky, second right, arrives for the second day of a five-day cross-examination by Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's lawyers, at the District court in Jerusalem, Friday July 18, 2008. Talansky testified in May that he gave Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars before he became prime minister, much of it in cash-stuffed envelopes. The testimony caused public outrage and led Olmert's Kadima Party to schedule new leadership elections for September.(AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)

Talansky testified in May that he gave Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars before he became prime minister, much of it in cash-stuffed envelopes. According to the original accusations, Olmert received the cash as bribes or illegal campaign financing, and used it in part to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

The accusations caused public outrage, damaged Olmert's already battered credibility and led his Kadima Party to schedule new leadership elections for September. Olmert has said he will step down if indicted.

Olmert's defense team needs a knockout blow in the Talansky cross-examination to save the prime minister's career, but have not delivered one, political analyst Hanan Crystal said.

"This was the chance to stop the political end. If Olmert's lawyers had had a smoking gun, they would have used it yesterday or today," said Crystal, adding "his political death is approaching."

In an attempt to undercut Talansky's accusations, defense attorney Eli Zohar asked the witness to provide details about donations, the days they were made and whether donors gave cash or checks.

He tried to highlight inconsistencies, asking Talansky whether "there could have been an error in what you remember."

"Maybe here or there," Talansky conceded, but insisted his account overall was accurate.

Despite some decidedly pointed exchanges — including one that featured Zohar shouting out "Again, the lie!" — the defense team did not appear to achieve the dramatic reversal that observers say Olmert will need to save his political career.

For the most part, Talansky stuck to his previous testimony. And the cross-examination has so far lacked the high drama that characterized the witness's original testimony in May.

Cross-examination is supposed to last another three days, presumably giving Olmert's team more time to chip away at Talansky's credibility. The court rejected the witness' request Friday to cut questioning down to just one more day.

Talansky, in asking the court to let him return to New York on a scheduled flight Sunday evening, said the case was devastating him and his family.

"I simple don't have the energy ... to stay more than Sunday," Talansky told the three judges. "My wife, my life and business is absolutely in shambles because of this. This has just worn me out."

Olmert has managed to stay in power despite four other police corruption probes launched since he took office, and despite public dissatisfaction with his handling of Israel's 2006 war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

In an unusual move, Talansky's testimony and cross-examination are being conducted in court before any formal charges have been filed. Prosecutors requested the step because Talansky lives in the U.S. and they were concerned he might not be available to testify at a later date.

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