French minister resigns in face of tax-fraud probe

(AP) President Francois Hollande's office says the budget minister has resigned amid a ballooning scandal over suspected tax fraud and money laundering centering on him.

Hollande's office says Jerome Cahuzac asked to be removed from his post, and the president accepted.

Earlier Tuesday, Paris prosecutors launched a judicial probe into a case of alleged laundering of money gained through tax fraud centering on Cahuzac though investigators haven't turned up enough evidence to charge him by name.

The minister has long been a vocal crusader against use of overseas tax havens.