Olmert and the latest scandal

In disclosing the investigation last week, the Justice Ministry did not say what specific crime was suspected, what Talansky's money was meant for or what favors, if any, the businessman allegedly got in return. Depending on evidence, legal experts say, Mazuz could try for a relatively quick indictment for campaign finance violations or build a slower case for the more serious charge of bribery.

But Menachem Hofnung, a Hebrew University political scientist, says limits on donations a candidate can receive were so complex and changed so frequently during the period under investigation that it would be hard to prove a violator's criminal intent.

In either case, prosecutors would have to notify Olmert of any charges they were considering, give his lawyers access to the evidence and conduct a preliminary hearing before an indictment could be brought.

"Based on experience, that could take up to six or seven months," said Zeev Segal, a Tel Aviv University law professor.

Columnist Uzi Benziman says Olmert may have lost the ability to lead. "His position has been undermined. He is incapable of leading the state into battle, just as he is incapable of reaching a peace agreement," Benziman wrote in the newspaper Haaretz.

"If he tries to initiate anything, the criminal investigation will be exploited to undermine his authority to make or implement decisions."

--

boudreaux@latimes.com