Israeli police recommend more charges against Olmert

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert enters his car as he leaves the residence of President Shimon Peres after a handover ceremony in Jerusalem in this file photo from April 1, 2009.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police Monday recommended that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be indicted in yet another of a series of corruption scandals that forced him to resign last year.

The recommendation against Olmert stemmed from allegations of cronyism from his term as minister of industry and trade between 2003 and 2006. The police said in a statement they found "evidence of criminal acts of fraud and breach of trust."

Olmert, who has denied any wrongdoing in the cases against him, resigned last September saying he intended to wage a legal battle to clear his name. He remained in office through March when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-leaning government was sworn in.

Earlier Monday, Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz closed a separate investigation into the former leader over an alleged illegal discount he received in a real estate deal.

In September 2007, Mazuz ordered police to open a criminal investigation into Olmert's purchase of a home in Jerusalem.

Olmert, mayor of Jerusalem for 10 years until 2003, denies any wrongdoing in response to allegations his purchase in 2004 was a bargain granted in return for favours.

Mazuz has said he was also weighing criminal charges against Olmert over allegations he granted political favoursto clients of his former law partner while serving in a cabinet post.

(Writing by Ari Rabinovitch)