Poland’s sports minister resigns over allegations of illegal lobbying for new gambling law

Poland’s sports minister resigns amid allegations

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s sports minister resigned Monday over allegations he illegally tried to influence a new gambling law.

Miroslaw Drzewiecki announced his decision to step down at a news conference after Rzeczpospolita newspaper last week published transcripts of tapped telephone conversations in which a gambling parlor owner is allegedly heard lobbying a governing party lawmaker to block plans for casino taxes and mentions Drzewiecki as someone who could help.

The businessman is heard saying he is in touch with Drzewiecki over the law.

On Monday, Drzewiecki denied any involvement but said he was stepping down while the situation was being investigated.

“When the matter is clarified I am sure we will meet again,” Drzewiecki said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk accepted the resignation, his spokesman Pawel Gras said. No successor was immediately named.

The lawmaker heard speaking in the conversations, Zbigniew Chlebowski, has been suspended.

The conversations were tapped by the state anti-corruption office, which is run by a member of an opposition party.

The new legislation would introduce taxes on casinos that would help the Sports Ministry finance the Euro 2012 soccer championships in Poland. Casino owners argue the fees would hurt their businesses.

Drzewiecki wrote to the finance minister earlier this year to say the tax could be dropped as the additional money would not be needed, but he later retracted that statement.

Drzewiecki is the second minister to leave Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, after the justice minister was fired in January.