Court to announce verdict in Blumenthal case

The Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court was expected to submit it's verdict on Monday morning in the case of Likud MK Nomi Blumenthal and party operative Michael Elnekaveh, who have been accused of giving bribes to Likud voters and for disrupting the investigation of the case. Blumenthal was suspected of financing the lodging of 15 Likud operatives at the Sheraton City Hotel in Tel Aviv, at a total sum of approximately NIS 12 million, in order to win their votes ahead of her party's primaries in 2003. The two were also suspected of preparing for the investigation by coordinating a false version of the events. During the investigation Blumenthal adamantly upheld her right to remain silent, and was repeatedly chastised by her judge for "arrogance."