Judge David Rosen has just sentenced Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to 6 years in prison and a fine of 1 million NIS, after he was convicted of receiving bribes when he was Mayor of Jerusalem.
Olmert received some half a million Shekels in bribes in return for the advancement of the Hollyland building project, a massive monstrosity of a project which overshadows all of Jerusalem. Olmert was convicted with another 9 officials, including Olmert’s secretary and close confidant Shulah Zaken who turned on Olmert just before the conclusion of the trial.
Judge Rosen used extremely harsh words to describe Olemrt’s and his cohorts’ actions. Dubbing the receiver of bribes ‘a traitor’, the judge spoke of the criminals blow to the integrity of the public service and the way the public perceives this imperative institution, causing the public to loath this system.
After convicting Olmert on March 31st, Justice David Rosen spoke of a “corrupt political system which has decayed over the years… and in which hundreds of thousands of shekels were transferred to elected officials.” The court implied that Olmert lied during his testimony in court.
Olmert is expected to appeal the sentencing at the High Court of Justice. The executing of his sentence was delayed until the appeal is played out in court. He still has several other impending cases of fraud, bribery and breach of trust currently being tried or appealed.