Ex-PM Olmert Admits to Obstruction of Justice as Part of Plea Bargain

Jerusalem judge partially accepts plea bargain, expresses doubt over the sides' request to let Olmert serve prison sentences concurrently.

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Ehud Olmert at the Supreme Court, during a hearing on the appeal in the Holyland corruption case, Dec. 29, 2015.
Ehud Olmert at the Supreme Court, during a hearing on the appeal in the Holyland corruption case, Dec. 29, 2015.Credit: Emil Salman

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday partially accepted the plea bargain agreement the prosecution signed with former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert whereby he admitted to and was convicted of two counts of obstruction of justice.

However, Judge Avital Chen expressed doubts over the sides' request to sentence Olmert to six months concurrent to time being served. The court is to rule on sentencing on February 10.

If the court accepts the plea bargain in full, Olmert would get six months, to be served concurrently with the 18-month sentence he received for taking a bribe in the Holyland case. He is also to pay a fine of 50,000 shekels (about $12,600). Olmert will start serving his prison term on February 15.

"A sentence of six months and a fine is beyond appropriate. What concerns me is the overlap," Judge Chen said during Tuesday's hearing, noting that even a heavier sentence would have no meaning if it was concurrent to time served.

Attorney Keren Bar-Menachem of the Central District Prosecution asked the judge to accept the plea deal, noting that Olmert accepted responsibility for his actions.

Chen responded by asserting that Olmert "took responsibility to avoid prison, not voluntarily."

The indictment in the obstruction of justice case, which was filed shortly after the plea bargain was signed, is based on two recorded conversations between Olmert and his former chief aide, Shula Zaken, which Zaken gave prosecutors as part of her own plea bargain in the Holyland case. 









The Supreme Court will therefore hear the appeal of the Talansky verdict as planned. It will also hear the state’s appeal of Olmert’s acquittal in the Rishon Tours case, in which he was accused of double-billing various nonprofit organizations for overseas flights and pocketing the difference.