UPDATE - The gambling scandal that rocked the ruling Civic Platform party in late 2009 has been dropped by the law courts.

The District Prosecutors in Warsaw announced that so-called ‘Blackjack Affair’ has been dropped, Thursday morning.

A spokeswoman previously admitted that a final decision on the case would be taken by today, although it was mooted that the decision into the case would be announced tomorrow, Friday.

Prosecutors have concluded that there is not enough evidence to convict the former Minister of Sport, Miroslaw Drzewiecki, as well as former Chairman of the Civic Platform parliamentary club, Zbigniew Chlebowski.

Both men lost their jobs in 2009, amidst allegations of corruption during the drawing up of a new bill on gambling laws.

Leaked wire-taps from the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) revealed that the ministers had been engaged in inappropriate discussions with a businessman who had major interests in the gambling industry.

It was also revealed that Minister Chlebowski had met the said businessman – who had already been convicted of paying bribes on previous occasions – in a remote cemetery.

Extensive coverage in the press led to the two politicians losing their jobs. Two more Civic Platform ministers felt obliged to bow out amidst the scandal. From the outset, both of the accused men have pleaded innocent of any corruption charges. (nh/jb)

Source: RMF FM/IAR