Environment politico pleads guilty to graft

SHANGHAI: A former vice- director of a local environment protection bureau pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of accepting more than 1 million yuan ($146,000) in bribes.

Before 63-year-old Yan Shunjun retired in 2008, he abused his power to benefit businessmen and other individuals and accepted bribes of 864,000 yuan, $20,000 and 4,000 euros, according to an indictment introduced to the Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court.

Between 2003 and 2007, Yan allegedly helped Germany-based Environmental Resources Management Consulting Company obtain environment assessment clearances to green-light projects.