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Hempstead, NY - Key Figure In Israeli Corruption Scandle In Court for Assaulting Dentist |
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"The subject of money came up. I wasn't paid for my part," Dr. Leonard Barashick said about Morris Talansky, the star witness against Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. "One thing led to another and he just snapped, as homicidal maniacs do."
Talansky, 75, was a no-show in Hempstead court on charges he assaulted Barashick. The judge told Talansky's lawyer that if his client did not show up for his pending trial, he would issue an arrest warrant.
Talansky has recently testified in Israel that he gave at least $150,000 in cash to Olmert, but insisted they were not bribes.
Barashick, 84, said he worked on Talansky's teeth for decades. He claims the relationship soured on July 5 after Talansky refused to pay for dental work and "threatened to kill me" in phone messages.
The dentist said Talansky was at one time a kind and gentle family man who helped sick people. But once he got involved with Israeli politicians and big shots, he allegedly became arrogant.
"I would call him a philanderer, a liar," as well as a thief, said Barashick, who also claims Talansky cheated him out of $200,000 "in an insurance scheme." He was never charged with any such scheme.
"He shoved a steel chair into me so hard it almost cost me amputation of both lower legs," Barashick said. "I saw him pick up his fist that was as big as a kosher ham. He had me up against the wall."
Four men in his dentist's office in Baldwin managed to stop the attack, Barashick said.
After Talansky was arrested, the charges were reduced from felony assault to third-degree assault, a misdemeanor - because the four witnesses declined to back up Barashick's story.
Nassau County First District Court Judge William O'Brien asked Talansky's criminal lawyer, Anthony Collelouri, why his client did not show up for a court appearance.
Collelouri said that his client had flown back to Israel for a family wedding but was also aiding prosecutors in the Olmert case.
"How did I not hear about this . . . this intrigue?" O'Brien asked Collelouri.
After court Collelouri said that Barashick was making it all up. "He's a very nice man who is anything but violent. He's grandfatherly."
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Read Comments (9) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM realist Says:
This dentist sounds like he's sniffed a bit too much nitrous oxide!
2
Jun 11, 2008 at 02:10 PM rabbi druckman Says:
"kosher ham"
Rubashkin?
3
Jun 11, 2008 at 02:13 PM Anonymous Says:
There are several others in Israel and in the US who can attest to Talansky's rage, his vrebal attacks, his psychological abuse and that he can be envisioned to be physical. Too many people are afraid of him. He knows too much on these people and they need to pay him annulay to keep his mouth shut.
Did you notice that Shaarei zedek Hospital paid him $90,000.00 in 2005? For what? He was not employed by them nor was he a consultant for them.
I'll write a statement for which I have no proof just hearsay "that money was to keep him quiet, not to reveal anything against their major contributors.
His altercation with the dentist is not far fetched.
4
Jun 11, 2008 at 02:18 PM realist Says:
Oh no!!
A homicidal maniac with a kosher ham??
I guess that's from the new Hechsher Tzedek.
5
Jun 11, 2008 at 02:23 PM Anonymous Says:
Well you know, getting testimony from some witnesses is like pulling teeth. . . .
6
Jun 11, 2008 at 05:04 PM Joseph Says:
Maybe his plan is to get a US court to issue a restraining order "against" him not to leave the USA (so he can have an excuse why not to return to Israel to testify against Olmert.)
7
Jun 11, 2008 at 08:26 PM Anonymous Says:
an 84 year old dentist? Sounds like alzheimers to me. It starts with paranoia. The other 4 wouldn't back up the story. and there is that small matter of a 200,000 insurance claim that there is no evidence of.
8
Jun 12, 2008 at 02:48 AM cell me the world Says:
did olmert set this one up?
or maybe this dentist is scared of moshe that he will report on him for filling olmerts mouth whith gold teeth!
9
Jun 12, 2008 at 11:58 AM Anonymous Says:
I know a dentiSt thAt would Behave just the Opposite and attack his patients.