Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Knesset's State Control Committee, Monday morning, that he accepts the findings of the state comptroller regarding the transfer of government funds to companies he held before his current tenure. The comptroller determined that days before the appointment, Barak acted against public norms expected of a minister or a nominee.
Barak said, "The companies accumulated rightsover the years,and payments which had not been collectedfor past activityprior tomy appointmentas minister. The transfer of the companies to my daughterswas made in good faithandtransparency. After theappointmentalloperationsceasedexcept forcollecting money.All money wasrecorded,reportedand taxed according to law. Money withdrawnto me personallyafter theappointmentwas done sounderpermitsissuedbythe committeeunder its authority."