American-Jewish businessman Morris Talansky told the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday that he gave Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert 150,000 dollars out of his own pocket, speculating that some of the money went to fund Olmert's fondness for fine hotels, first-class flights and luxury goods.
Talansky gave the testimony as a key witness for the prosecution in the investigation into allegations that Olmert accepted illegal payments from the US financier.
US businessman Morris Talansky (R) walks up the stairs upon his arrival at the Jerusalem district court May 27, 2008. Talansky, at the centre of a bribery case against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, testified on Tuesday that he gave the Israeli leader cash in envelopes but without expecting any favours in return. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
