Jerusalem - Ehud Olmert's lawyers began a fourth day Monday of cross-examining a key witness in a corruption investigation, who has alleged that the Israeli premier over years accepted tens of thousands of US dollars in cash from him. 

On the third day of the cross-examination Sunday, US Jewish fundraiser Morris Talansky said police had placed him under pressure during past interviews in which they confronted him with the suspicions that Olmert used his donations and contributions for personal purposes and not only for campaigning. 

An Israeli police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, meanwhile told local media that Israeli detectives had collected more "evidence" in the US, strengthening the allegation that the cash donations constituted "bribe-taking." 

According to the source, the purported evidence showed that Olmert not only sent letters, but also turned personally to businessmen in an effort to help Talansky market his mini-bars, produced by his Cooltech company. 

The premier's lawyers are due to wrap up the five-day cross-examination Tuesday. (dpa)