News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) American businessman Morris Talansky said Tuesday he is "not afraid" of being cross-examined on Thursday by Prime Minister Olmert's defense lawyers. The multi-millionaire told Army Radio "There won't be any drama. After all this is over, the press will be say 'we can't believe we wasted so much time on this guy.' "

Talansky, the main witness in a massive bribery probe surrounding the prime minister, will begin a marathon five-day cross-examination into his claims that he provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit donations to Olmert over a period of at least 15 years.

During an initial inquiry on May 28, Talansky said  he provided Olmert with cash-stuffed envelopes, paid credit card bills, airplane tickets, exclusive hotel accommodations, and more. Olmert emphatically denies all allegations.