Official who owned 20-plus houses dismissed

An official who was investigated for owning more than 20 houses has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and was dismissed from a public post in Dongguan, Guangdong province, on Wednesday, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The case involving Lin Weizhong, director of the armed force department of Houjie township and deputy director of the township's people's congress, will also be transferred to the judicial department for further investigation and future possible prosecution.

The more than 20 houses Lin owns might also be confiscated, according to a statement released by the Dongguan city Party commission of discipline inspection on Thursday.

In addition to having mistresses, Lin, 51, was investigated on charges of bribery, embezzlement, misuse of public funds and neglect of duty while in office, the statement said.

Lin, a township official, was estimated to have properties valued at more than 2 billion yuan ($339.4 million) by local residents and netizens.