Former Liaoning official given 12-year sentence for bribery

Hao Chunrong, former vice-governor of Liaoning province, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday for taking bribes worth 18.83 million yuan ($2.66 million).

The verdict was publicly pronounced by the Intermediate People's Court of Dalian in Liaoning.

Hao was also fined two million yuan ($282,646). The proceeds of bribery confiscated in the case shall be recovered and turned over to the state treasury.

The court found after hearing evidence that Hao took advantage of her official positions between 1999 and 2021 and provided units and individuals with undue assistance in land allocation, project contracting, attaining approval and job adjustments. She illegally accepted property valued at more than 18.83 million yuan.

The court stated Hao's behavior constitutes the crime of bribery, with an especially huge amount of offenses.

However, considering Hao truthfully confessed to the crimes, voluntarily disclosed the majority of the facts not yet known to investigating authorities, pleaded guilty and showed remorse, actively returned the embezzled funds and as the proceeds have been fully returned and confiscated, the court also said she has statutory and discretionary circumstances for lenient punishment.