Israel PM's travel expenses under scrutiny

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's travel expenses came under fresh scrutiny today ahead of the expected release of an official report into alleged overcharging and other matters.
The state comptroller's report covers 2003-05, when Netanyahu was finance minister, and concerns five foreign trips, some with his wife and children, Israeli media reported.
State Comptroller Yosef Shapira, who is tasked with overseeing the use of public funds, was investigating allegations of double billing of flights, reported the Haaretz and Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspapers -- both hostile to Netanyahu.
The report, expected to be released later today, is said to note a "lack of clarity" over bonus points earned on flights by the Israeli company El Al during official trips, they reported.

The bonus points were allegedly used by Netanyahu's relatives for private travel.
Privately owned Channel 2 television reported the police have renewed an inquiry into the allegations to determine whether to open a formal investigation.

The reports also alleged Shapira is concerned former attorney general Yehuda Weinstein stalled on investigating, before the case was eventually closed.
Netanyahu's lawyer dismissed the allegations, saying they had previously been looked into and nothing improper had been found.
"There is nothing in the report of the state comptroller," Yossi Cohen, the lawyer for the Netanyahu family, told public radio.
Former prime minister Ehud Olmert also faced allegations of double billing in a travel case, though it was later dropped.

In February, however, he began a 19-month sentence for bribery and obstruction of justice.