Society

Ex-vice mayor stands trial for grafts

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-19 20:59

HANGZHOU - A former vice mayor in east China's Zhejiang province stood trial from Wednesday to Friday on charges of taking bribes, embezzlement and misuse of power.

The case of Xu Maiyong, 52, former vice mayor of provincial capital Hangzhou, was heard in the Intermediate People's Court of Ningbo City in Zhejiang. No verdict was handed down on Friday.

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The People's Procuratorate of Ningbo City accused Xu of accepting bribes worth more than 160 million yuan (about $24.4 million) from companies and businessmen when he served as vice mayor in Xiaoshan City, as the head of Xihu District in Hangzhou City and as vice mayor of Hangzhou from 1995 to 2004.

In return, Xu helped the companies obtain land-use rights, preferential taxation policies and project contracts, said procurators.

Xu was also accused of embezzling more than 53 million yuan in state property when he served as president of Hangzhou Jingang Industry Co., Ltd.

Furthermore, he illegally returned 71 million yuan in land transfer fees to land users, thereby causing major losses in state property, said procurators.

Xu was removed from his post and investigated in April 2009.