As in previous testimony before the court, Olmert claimed the flights were funded using air miles, or that he had paid for them himself.
By JOANNA PARASCZCUKFormer prime minister Ehud Olmert with lawyer in court 311(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
She is also accused of assisting Olmert’s former aide, Shula Zaken, in the alleged fraud.As in previous testimony before the court, Olmert claimed the flights were funded using air miles, or that he had paid for them himself.RELATED:Olmert grilled in court over Rishon Tours Olmert denies trying to obstruct Rishon Tours investigation Olmert: 'Talansky never gave me gifts, it’s all fantasy' The prosecution claims that Risby-Raz knowingly accumulated surpluses in Olmert’s Rishon Tours account by double-billing charities for flights – and that Olmert had instructed her to do so.Olmert continued to deny this was the case.The cross-examination will continue until the court’s summer recess.In the Jerusalem District Court Monday, former prime minister Ehud Olmert continued to deny he had double- billed charities for flights booked via the Rishon Tours travel agency, using surplus monies to fund trips abroad for his wife, Aliza.The prosecution has accused Olmert of having his wife accompany him on official trips overseas while he was industry, trade and labor minister; and that he paid by instructing his former travel coordinator, Rachel Risby- Raz, to double-bill charities for his own flights.Risby-Raz has been indicted in connection with the Rishon Tours affair on charges that include fraud.
