An American businessman will give evidence in court this month as part of an investigation into allegations that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accepted illegal donations, according to court records released Wednesday.

Although no charges have been filed against Olmert, who denies wrongdoing, judges ruled that 75-year-old New York financier Morris Talansky will make a deposition in the Jerusalem District Court on May 25.

Police said last week that they suspect Olmert accepted large sums of cash from Talansky. Some of the donations are believed to have taken place during Olmert’s 10-year tenure as mayor of Jerusalem.

In an interview broadcast over the weekend, Talansky denied trying to bribe Olmert.

“I never thought in any way that the money that I gave him for the purpose of his becoming mayor or electioneering was in any way illegal or wrong,” he said.

Olmert’s legal troubles have also raised doubts about his ability to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. He has said he would resign if he is indicted.

Since becoming prime minister, Olmert has been a suspect in several corruption affairs involving real estate deals and questionable political appointments. He has been questioned several times in the past by police but has never been charged. Some of the investigations remain pending.