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Israeli police recommend charges for PM Olmert

  • Story Highlights
  • State prosecution office will decide whether to charge Ehud Olmert with corruption
  • Recommendations stem from two ongoing probes involving Olmert
  • "Talansky affair" involves allegations that he received illegal funds from American
  • In "Rishon Tours affair," authorities say Olmert pocketed money for official travel
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JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli police on Sunday recommended that outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be indicted on corruption charges stemming from two investigations, a police spokesman said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will step down from his position next month.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will step down from his position next month.

Police made the recommendation to Israel's attorney general and the state prosecution office, which will make the final call on whether to charge Olmert, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told CNN.

The recommendations stem from two ongoing probes involving Olmert, who served, most recently, as mayor of Jerusalem and minister of industry, trade and labor before he became prime minister in 2006.

Earlier this year, police began an investigation into the "Talansky affair," in which Olmert allegedly received illegal funds and bribes from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky.

In the "Rishon Tours affair," named for an Israeli travel agency, authorities are investigating whether Olmert pocketed money intended for official travel. Video Watch CNN's Paula Hancocks report on the Olmert controversy »

The Jerusalem Post reported in July that police said they had evidence Olmert sought funding from multiple donors for the same trips. Using a fund created at the agency, he put the excess cash toward flights for family members while he was Jerusalem mayor and minister of industry, trade and labor.

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Olmert has denied any wrongdoing. He announced on July 30 that he would resign as prime minister as soon as his Kadima party elects a new chairman. He cited "a wave of investigations and criticism" at the hands of his political opponents.

Kadima is scheduled to hold its party primary on September 17.

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