Israel's Olmert Convicted of Bribery

In a verdict likely to kill any shot at a political comeback, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted Monday of bribery. The 68-year-old was forced to step down in 2009 after multiple corruption allegations surfaced. The conviction, which will likely result in prison time, stems from a Jerusalem real-estate scandal from before Olmert's time as prime minister; millions of dollars were spent illegally to help real-estate developments that required zoning law changes as well as tax breaks. Thirteen government officials, developers, and other businesspeople have been charged in the schemes. Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem at the time, and was accused of taking bribes to help the project.