JTA: Olmert probe gag order to be lifted tonight.

Update: A reader who scans the Hebrew language press and Internet chats notes: "Today an ultra-orthodox magazine published a 'fictional' description of an Israeli politician and how they were corrupt. If the 'fictional' account is close to reality, which we'll know soon enough, it seems like Olmert was involved in bribery and money laundering for building permits, favors, etc. Apparently they are still discussing whether to remove the gag order or not."

He adds: "Gag order could be over in a few minutes.... One of the Israeli TV stations is broadcasting something special in a few minutes."

Update II: Ha'aretz reports that Olmert used the prime minister's office to .... further his wife's art career.

Update III: Gag order partially lifted, more here.

The reader adds:

1. Uri Messer, Olmert's lawyer and confidant, is apparently a state witness. He is probably the key to everything. He is being described as having been in a "difficult emotional state" during the past few weeks.

2. Morris Talansky was cooperative with the police.

3. Shula Zaken, who ran Olmert's office, is not being very cooperative.

4. One newspaper hinted that Talansky is just the tip of the iceberg. Very little of the money that he passed to Olmert was his own, rather he was the messenger, and once we find out who gave him money to hand over to Olmert, we'll see the larger picture. Talansky isn't that wealthy, compared to others, rather he was good at getting others to give their money. If Talansky is the entire story, this isn't the earthquake that it is being described as.

5. The gag order was only removed partially. There is still a lot that was not permitted to be told.

Posted by Laura at May 8, 2008 10:39 AM