Ex-deputy GM of key state-owned enterprise sentenced to 15 years for bribery

Lu Wenjun, the former deputy general manager of China First Heavy Industries Group, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for taking bribes, the Intermediate People's Court of Xiangtan in Hunan province announced on Monday. The court also fined Lu 5 million yuan ($741,455) and ordered the confiscation of his illegal gains, which will be turned over to the state treasury.

The court found that between 2002 and 2022, Lu exploited his positions, including general manager and chairman of China National Heavy Machinery Corporation, general manager and chairman of China National Erzhong Group, and deputy general manager of China First Heavy Industries, to assist companies and individuals in securing business contracts and commission payments. In return, he illegally accepted money and property totaling more than 67.98 million yuan.

The court determined that Lu's actions constituted the crime of accepting bribes, involving an especially large amount of money, warranting legal punishment. However, the court noted that Lu confessed to his crimes after being placed under investigation, voluntarily disclosed some bribery-related facts not uncovered by investigators, admitted guilt, and expressed remorse. He also actively returned illicit gains, with most of the money and assets involved, along with related proceeds, having been recovered. Taking these factors into consideration, the court granted Lu a reduced sentence in accordance with the law.