The Israeli police said Thursday that they had dropped a criminal investigation into a real estate deal by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, just days before he leaves office, citing lack of evidence. Four other cases against him are pending. In the real estate inquiry, the police investigated allegations that he bought a home in an exclusive Jerusalem neighborhood at a steep discount in exchange for favors to the builder. The transaction occurred while Mr. Olmert was Jerusalem’s mayor. A series of corruption investigations led him to announce his resignation in September. He is set to step down next week.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/world/middleeast/27briefs-Olmert.html?pagewanted=print

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