Olmert accused of seeking bribes

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indicted Thursday on new corruption charges for allegedly seeking bribes in a wide-ranging real estate scandal that dwarfs the other cases in which he's accused.       

According to the indictment, millions of dollars illegally changed hands to promote a series of real estate projects, including a controversial housing development in Jerusalem that required a radical change in zoning laws and earned the developers tax breaks and other benefits.       

Jerusalem residents have long suspected that the hulking Holyland housing development, built on a prominent hilltop, was tainted by corruption, and Thursday's indictment against Olmert cemented those doubts about his integrity.       

The alleged crimes took place while he was mayor of Jerusalem, a position he held before becoming prime minister in 2006. Olmert has denied all charges.       

The former Israeli leader is already standing trial on separate charges of accepting illicit funds from an American supporter and double-billing Jewish groups for trips abroad also before he became prime minister. 

AP