Former Israeli PM indicted

JERUSALEM, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indicted Sunday on charges including fraud, breach of trust and falsifying documents, officials said.

State Attorney Moshe Lador and Jerusalem District Attorney Eli Abrabanel said in the indictment that Olmert and his former bureau chief Shula Zaken "abused their position and public standing," The Jerusalem Post reported.

Olmert's media advisor Amir Dan issued a statement saying after Olmert was forced out of office, it was clear the next step would be for the attorney general and state prosecutor to file an indictment, Maariv said.

"The court is free of these biased considerations and therefore it is there Olmert is convinced he will prove his innocence once and for all," Dan's statement said.

In one case involving the Investments Center, Olmert is accused of participating in applications for government grants made by clients of his close friends, The Post said.

Olmert allegedly accepted cash from American businessman Morris Talansky and illegally double-billed charities and a government ministry for flights he booked at Rishon Tours. Olmert allegedly sent the company false receipts for travel expenses and used the surplus cash to finance personal and family trips abroad, Haaretz said.

Zaken was indicted for her involvement in the Talansky and Rishon Tours cases and is charged with falsifying corporate documents, fraudulently obtaining benefits, breach of trust and illegal wiretapping, Haaretz said.

Olmert resigned as prime minister on July 30, 2008.