Official pleads guilty to bribery

Chen Shulong, former vice-governor of Anhui province, pleaded guilty on Friday to taking a huge amount of bribes and causing State financial losses of 2.91 billion yuan ($425 million).

Chen was accused of abusing his authority and receiving bribes of 275 million yuan through his wife Wang Chuanhong and other relatives from 1994 to 2016, prosecutors said at a local court in Xiamen, Fujian province.

In return, Chen took advantage of his various positions including director of Anhui National Bonds Service Center, manager of Anhui Trust and Investment Company, vice-mayor of Hefei city, mayor of Wuhu city and vice-governor of Anhui to offer illegal help to organizations and individuals with project contracts, securing loans and promotions.