BEIJING
A former economics chief was jailed for life in China Wednesday for taking bribes worth millions of dollars, state media reported.
Liu Tienan, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission until his dismissal in August 2013, was convicted of accepting around 35.6 million yuan ($5.8 million) by a court in Langfang, northeastern China.
Xinhua news agency said Liu’s crimes were uncovered by Luo Changping, the then deputy editor of Caijing magazine.
Luo disclosed Liu's misconduct on social media, accusing him of lying on his CV, using his position to enrich his family and threatening to kill his mistress.
The Chinese authorities initially denied the allegations but launched an investigation five months later amid public pressure.
Internet users in China have exposed a number of corrupt officials, drawing attention to their lavish lifestyles, but the regime still strictly controls the web.
Langfang Intermediate People's Court said it had considered Liu’s remorse for his crimes in passing sentence. He could have received the death penalty.
According to court scripts posted on the court’s official social media account in September, cited by Xinhua, Liu said: "Faced with the facts, I have been asking myself every time I read the indictment, is this me? How did I end up like this?"
He added: "Each morning I wonder where I am and how I have ended up in this state."
The court heard that Liu also regretted involving his son Liu Decheng, who acted as a conduit for some of the bribes.
All Liu’s personal property and wealth will be confiscated, Xinhua reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption campaign last year and Liu is one of the most senior officials found guilty.
Last week criminal charges were brought against former security head Zhou Yongkang, the most senior Communist Party official to face trial for corruption.
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