Israeli police said they wanted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to face criminal charges in a corruption scandal.

Issuing a non-binding recommendation, police said they had evidence showing that Olmert illegally received money from a US businessman and made duplicate claims for travel expenses when he served as mayor of Jerusalem and trade and industry minister.

He has denied any wrongdoing in a series of investigations.

A police document said the recommendation included charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering and breach of public trust over funds that "reached hundreds of thousands of dollars".

With Olmert committed to resigning after his Kadima party holds a leadership vote on September 17, the recommendation will have no immediate impact on his tenure and does not guarantee an indictment will be filed by Israel's attorney-general.

Olmert's lawyers called the police recommendation "meaningless" because only the attorney-general can decide whether or not to indict a prime minister.

"We will wait patiently for the attorney-general's decision, and as opposed to the police, we have no doubt in our hearts he is well aware of the responsibility he carries," the lawyers said in a statement. - Reuters