Israel's attorney-general put former prime minister Ehud Olmert on notice today he was weighing criminal charges against him over suspected corruption during a 2003-2006 term as industry and trade minister.
Mr Olmert is suspected of having granted favours to clients of his former law partner while serving in the cabinet post. He has denied any wrongdoing in the case, one of several police investigations against him.
Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz said he was considering charging Mr Olmert with fraud and breach of trust, pending a hearing with his lawyers, the Justice Ministry announced.
Mr Olmert was replaced as prime minister on Tuesday by right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu.
The former Israeli leader may also face indictment over allegations he submitted duplicate travel bills and inflated travel costs while serving as Jerusalem mayor from 1993 to 2003, and over suspicions he took bribes from a US businessman.
Mr Olmert has denied the allegations.
Mr Olmert, then leader of the centrist Kadima party, resigned as prime minister in September, saying he intended to wage a legal battle to clear his name. He remained in office through a February 10th election and stepped down when Mr Netanyahu's new right-leaning government was sworn in.
Other corruption investigations into Mr Olmert's purchase of a house and alleged misconduct in the sale of an Israeli commercial bank were recently closed for lack of evidence.
"As in past affairs that the state comptroller initiated that began with sparks and fireworks ... this affair will end with nothing," Olmert adviser Amir Dan told Israel Radio.
Reuters