Supermarket chain boss gets life in prison for fraud

Wu Weidong, the former chief executive of the bankrupt supermarket chain PriceSmart China, was sentenced to life in prison yesterday for contract fraud and withdrawal of capital contributions.

During the first verdict passed down yesterday by Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court, seven other high-ranking managers from the corporation were also sentenced, ranging from 29 months to 16 years in prison.

The case was held up after an initial hearing last October, with judges pouring over the complex evidence.