Embattled former prime minister Ehud Olmert testified in the Jerusalem District Court on Thrusday that he was unaware of the specifics behind how Rishon Tours and other travel agencies counted frequent flier miles because he did not book the flights himself.
Olmert was indicted on charges that he billed two and sometimes three different organizations to pay for his flight expenses when traveling abroad. He is accused of thus pocketing roughly NIS 90,000 to pay for ticket upgrades for family members.
"I flew countless trips the last number of years," Olmert told the court, adding that while he knew he had vast store of flyer miles with many different companies, he was not aware of exactly how many points he had accumulated.
Olmert testified he had assumed that the more business or first class flights one flies, the more miles one receives.
Throws Rizby-Raz Under Bus
Olmert said his travel coordinator, Rachel Rizby-Raz, and Rishon Tours both knew what his miles account tally was, and that Rizby-Raz would not have been able to book flights if Rishon Tours was unsure about his credit. Olmert insisted he never discussed using surplus miles to take out-of-country flight with his travel coordinator.
Olmert also insinuated that perhaps someone in Rishon Tours had been profiteering off his excess miles, purposefully failing to disclose information about Olmert's account.
On Monday, Olmert conceded that there may have been mistakes made in the payments for his flights, but rejected the claim that he had knowingly swindled nonprofit organizations or that he was criminally responsible for the acts he was accused of.
Olmert asserted that trips were organized months in advance and again laid the blame at Rizby-Raz's feet, saying she may have added additional sponsors as new events were scheduled in the time between the booking and the actual flight.
Tries to Turn Tables on Prosecutors
“The thought that people believe I would try to profit from these organizations, which are close to my heart, haunts me relentlessly. Who did I profit off at AKIM [the National Association for the Habilitation of the Mentally Handicapped in Israel], Aleh [a network of residential facilities for children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities], the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers?” Olmert asked.
The Rishon Tours indictment is only one of several corruption related indictments Olmert faces after his time in government. He has also indictments in the Holyland Affair and Cash Envelope Affair, and was investigated for corruption in the Cremeiux Street Affair.
Olmert's appointment of Roni Bar-On as Minister of Finance also sparked accusations of corruption against his government.