It was the latest legal blow in a humiliating fall from grace for the debonair man who took over as prime minister in 2006 after his mentor and predecessor Ariel Sharon lapsed into a coma from which he never recovered.
“We find the defendant guilty of fraud and a breach of trust,” the Jerusalem district court verdict read, “and of the felony of fraud under aggravated circumstances.”
Sentencing for the 69-year-old, who already faces a six-year prison sentence in a separate bribery case that he has appealed to the supreme court, is scheduled to begin on May 5, the verdict stated.
Olmert has always insisted on his innocence, describing the allegations against him as “a brutal, ruthless witch-hunt”, and his lawyers said he would appeal the latest conviction.
“We find the defendant guilty of fraud and a breach of trust,” the Jerusalem district court verdict read, “and of the felony of fraud under aggravated circumstances.”
Sentencing for the 69-year-old, who already faces a six-year prison sentence in a separate bribery case that he has appealed to the supreme court, is scheduled to begin on May 5, the verdict stated.
Olmert has always insisted on his innocence, describing the allegations against him as “a brutal, ruthless witch-hunt”, and his lawyers said he would appeal the latest conviction.