Olmert's attorneys try to trip up witness

JERUSALEM, July 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. businessman key to the Israeli investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert testified in court Thursday he did not lie during his deposition.

Olmert's lawyers opened the day's session with their cross-examination of U.S. businessman Morris Talansky, a key figure in the corruption probe against the prime minister, Haaretz reported.

"I feel a sense of honor and truth," Talansky told reporters before the session in Jerusalem District Court began. The cross-examination is expected to take five days, Haaretz said.

During questioning, attorney Eli Zohar asked Talansky whether he made up statements offered to prosecutors and whether his answers to police were given to appease them. Talansky answered "no" to both lines of questions.

Olmert is accused of billing multiple public associations for overseas trips and pocketing the surplus for personal use.