Nili Priell, the wife of Labor Party chairman and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, is closing her consulting firm, Taurus Israel Financial Ventures (2008) Ltd., in the wake of public criticism.
In a Ministry of Defense statement she said, "The company's activity was pursuant to my decades of business activity, and it complied with all required regulations and instructions. The establishment of the company was reported in advance to the authorized agencies."
Priell added, "In recent days, I concluded that this was not enough, and that even superficial appearances could become leverage for personally harming my husband, Ehud Barak. I have therefore decided to close the company."
The Ministry of Defense said that notification of the closing of Taurus would be sent to the Registrar of Companies within 24 hours.
On Sunday, Channel 10 reported that Priell was managing the company, which is registered as a business consulting firm, from the home she shares with Barak. The report claimed that Taurus helps foreign businessmen establish direct ties with Israeli politicians, businessmen, and social leaders. The company charged each client $30,000 a year for its services, and also collected bonuses for success.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 20, 2008
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