In Gansu, ex-official pleads guilty, another is expelled

Lei Zhiqiang, former chairman of the Gansu Province Rural Credit Union, pleaded guilty in court in Qingyang, Gansu, on Thursday to taking bribes totaling more than 300 million yuan ($44 million).

Prosecutors had accused Lei of taking advantage of various positions he held in the province, including vice-mayor of Tianshui and deputy Party chief and then chairman of the credit union, which offers agricultural loans. During his time in the three positions from 2000 to 2017, Lei sought profits for himself, close relatives and others.

Lei accepted bribes worth more than 241 million yuan from 42 people for such things as approval of loans and the selection of official. He was also unable to explain the origins of additional assets worth more than 81 million yuan.

Lei entered his plea at the Qingyang Intermediate People's Court, which will announce its verdict later.

Born in 1958, Lei was appointed Tianshui's vice-mayor in 1999. He was appointed deputy Party chief of the credit union in 2005 and its Party chief and chairman in 2007.

In a separate action, Huo Ronggui, former deputy director of the agriculture and rural affairs committee of the Gansu Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from public office for serious violations of discipline and law, Gansu's discipline authorities announced on Thursday.

They said Huo violated political discipline and rules when serving as deputy director and director of the Gansu government's general office, as deputy secretary-general of Gansu and as Party chief of the city of Wuwei.

The authorities said Huo acted counter to directives from the Central Committee of the CPC, led small cliques in government and business to conspire for profits, refused to implement central inspection and rectification requirements, fought inspections by authorities and abused leading officials and staff members.

The 57-year-old also violated the eight-point frugality code, including living in high-end hotel suites for long periods of time, frequently accessing private clubs, and illegally purchasing expensive gifts with public funds.

He also frequently adjusted a large number of official positions at will and took money from others in the promotion and appointment of officials. He accepted gifts and money which may have affected the impartial performance of his official duties and also took advantage of his position to provide assistance to his relatives to gain profits in business operations, the authorities said.

Huo violated regulations by intervening in market economy activities and interfered with the autonomy of businesses in production and management, causing heavy economic losses.

Huo also maintained long-term improper sexual relationships with several women. He was suspected of bribery, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power to commit crimes.

The authorities said Huo, a leading provincial official, had lost his ideals, faith and Party principles. He regarded the places he was in charge of as his private domains, chasing quick success and instant benefits.

Born in 1962, Huo was appointed deputy director of the general office of the Gansu provincial government in 2001 and became Party chief of Wuwei in 2010.

He took up the position of deputy director of the agriculture and rural affairs committee of the Gansu Committee of the CPPCC in 2017.

Huo was placed under investigation in July. The suspected crimes and property involved in his case have been transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution.

Yang Zekun contributed to this story.