China sentences former anti-graft official to 15 years for bribery

Li Gang, a former investigator at China's top anti-corruption watchdogs, was sentenced to 15 year in prison on Tuesday by a court in Hubei province for accepting bribes of more than 102 million yuan ($14.44 million).

The Wuhan Intermediate People's Court also fined Li 6 million yuan, announcing that his illicit gains and relevant interests should be confiscated and turned over to the State treasury.

The court found that Li, from the first half of 1998 to June 2024, used his positions in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, including as deputy mayor of Sichuan and head of the organization department of Yunnan, to seek benefits for other individuals and departments in various matters such as business operation, project contracting, land transfer, and job promotion. In return, he accepted bribes worth over 102 million yuan.

The court determined that Li's behavior was a crime of bribery and noted that he should be harshly punished due to the "extremely large" amount of bribes that caused huge losses to the country and the people.

It decided to show leniency, following his performance in reporting and exposing multiple individuals' illegal activities, which have been verified as true, and considering the attempted nature of the bribery crime, his truthful confession after being apprehended, voluntary disclosure of most bribery facts not yet known to the authorities, and active restitution.

Li, 60, a native of Sichuan, started his career in 1982 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1986. He was placed under investigation in September 2024. At that time, he served as head of the team of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stationed at the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.

In April, he was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office. Three months later, he was indicted on the charge of bribery.

The court publicly heard the case on Sept 18, with more than 20 people, including national lawmakers and political advisers, attending the hearing.