Bribing guards landed inmate additional 5 years

By Kang Yi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-12-01 16:30

He could go back home or drop in on friends whenever he wanted while still serving his 15-year sentence for misappropriating public funds amounting to 53 million yuan (US$6.76 million). But bribing his jailors recently landed him another five years in jail, reported the Huaxi Metropolitan Daily Friday.

Ma Jianguo, former Jinniu District Chengdu chief, on trial for bribing the guards while he was serving his 15-year sentence for misappropriating public funds.[File]

Ma Jianguo, former Jinniu District Chengdu chief, in the capital of southwestern Sichuan Province, dressed and ate differently from other inmates. Cash and cigarettes were allowed in Ma's cell and he was always busy, engaged in mobile phone conferences, running his business.

Police finished their investigation into allegations that Ma was bribing his guards in June. The Deyang Intermediate People's Court found him guilty of the alleged crime and sentenced Ma to another five-year in jail on Thursday, according to the report.

Wu Bangzhi, Chuanxi Prison warden, and three other prison directors found to have accepted bribes from Ma amounting to 315,558 yuan (US$40,291), will be criminally prosecuted.

According to courtroom testimony, Ma paid 170,000 yuan (US$21,700) to clear Wu's housing debt and gave him another 100,000 yuan (US$12,770) last year.

Ma once bought Liu Bo, one of the three directors, two costly sculptures of Kwan-Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion to bless Liu's newborn baby, and often gave guards 'bonuses'.

One bribed prison guard became Ma's 'bodyguard' according to his testimony cited by the Huaxi Metropolitan Daily. He frequently 'escorted' Ma to hotels, business fairs and often granted him days off to go home for a visit.

Ma's previous conviction was handed down by the Chengdu Intermediate People's Court on June 25, 2004. The verdict was upheld after his appeal.