'White house director' on trial for corruption

A former district chief that locals call "the Director in the White House" in Anhui province went on trial yesterday on charges of revenge and bribery.

Zhang Zhi'an, a former director of Yingquan district of Fuyang, was accused of getting revenge on Li Guofu by making up false charges against the man who later killed himself in a detention house.

The prosecution also accused Zhang of abusing power, and taking and asking for bribes 52 times involving 3.6 million yuan ($527,000). There was no verdict yesterday.