Scandal costly to three Polish ministers

WARSAW, Poland, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday three government ministers caught up in the "Blackjack" lobbying scandal have quit.

Tusk said as a result of the recent government scandal, resignations have been offered by Interior Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, Justice Minister Andrzej Czuma and Deputy Economy Minister Adam Szejnfeld, Poland Radio reported.

The resignations follow those offered by Sports Minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki and Zbigniew Chlebowski, head of Civic Platform's parliamentary group, also because of the scandal.

The scandal stemmed from allegations that Civic Platform members lobbied against tax hikes targeting Poland's gambling industry. The lobbying by the members of the political party was reportedly done on behalf of the gambling industry.

Poland Radio said Chlebowski will be replaced in his post by former interior minister Grzegorz Schetyna, while Tusk said Wednesday he would announce the replacements of the outgoing ministers yet this week.