JERUSALEM - Defense attorneys grilled the elderly American Jewish fundraiser at the center of a corruption probe against Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a second day Friday, but did not appear to have decisively undermined previous testimony that still threatens to drive Olmert from office.
Morris Talansky, 75, appeared tired and frequently exasperated in the cross-examination, which is expected to take five days. Olmert's attorneys are trying to portray Talansky as a litigious businessman with an unsavory reputation and a faulty memory.
Talansky testified in May that he gave Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars before he became prime minister, much of it in cash-stuffed envelopes. According to the original accusations, Olmert received the cash as bribes or illegal campaign financing, and used it in part to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
The testimony caused public outrage, damaged Olmert's already battered credibility and led his Kadima Party to schedule new leadership elections for September. Olmert has said he will step down if indicted.
Defense attorney Eli Zohar questioned Talansky about the details of his fundraising activities for Olmert, asking about specific sums and days and whether donors gave cash or checks. He also tried to show inconsistencies between his current statements and his earlier testimony.
Zohar asked Talansky if "there could have been an error in what you remember."
"Maybe here or there," Talansky conceded, but insisted his account overall was accurate.
Zohar tried to get Talansky to admit his memory was less than perfect.
"We old people in our old age have to say we don't remember. That's what I expect you to say. You don't remember," the attorney said.
Despite some decidedly pointed exchanges