Rural vitalization corruption cases unveiled in Pingjiang

Twenty-four townships were found to have spent more than 1.74 million yuan ($243,000) at a single printing shop owned by the son of an official from 2018 to 2021 in Pingjiang county, Hunan province, according to a release on Saturday by the local anti-corruption authority.

The discipline inspection and supervisory commissions of Yueyang, which administers Pingjiang, released a report on typical cases of leading officials exploiting their positions or influence for personal gain.

One such case was that of Yu Zhihui, the former deputy chairman of the Pingjiang county science and technology association, who was found to have abused his power to benefit his son's business activities.

The report details that from 2018 to 2021, while working in the supervision office of the Pingjiang county rural environment improvement command, Yu used his position to garner special favor for a printing and copy shop run by his son.

Capitalizing on his role in the office, which allowed him access to insider information on environmental inspections, Yu directed 24 townships in the county to print publicity materials, signage, and other work-related items through his son's shop. This favoritism resulted in expenses amounting to over 1.74 million yuan.

In March, Yu received a severe warning within the Party, and the illicit gains were confiscated.

In April, the Pingjiang county discipline inspection commission exposed typical cases of corruption and misconduct in the field of rural vitalization. Yu's name was also mentioned.

According to the April report, from 2016 to December 2021, during the course of their work in the rural environment supervision office, both Ling Yulong, the office's former deputy director, and Yu Zhihui, along with other staff members, accepted banquets that could have compromised the impartial execution of official duties.

In addition, they received red envelopes and cash gifts totaling 119,300 yuan from individuals under their supervision. They also divulged insider information about inspection schedules to influence the assessment of relevant townships. The illegal funds had been handed in by June 30, 2022.