Ex-Shanxi official pleads guilty to bribery

Du Shanxue, former deputy governor of Shanxi province, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in court on Tuesday for offering and receiving large bribes.

He also could not explain how he and his family came into possession of property valued at 89.2 million yuan ($13.4 million), prosecutors said.

Sentencing will take place later.

Du, 60, was accused of taking 80.1 million yuan ($12 million) in bribes between 2003 and 2013 when he was the top official of two cities in Shanxi and deputy governor of the coal-rich province, prosecutors said at the trial, which was held in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province.

Du admitted taking money from 28 organizations, including an energy company, and from individuals in exchange for providing help with business matters and promotions.

In 2011, Du handed 100,000 euros ($111,000) to Ling Zhengce, former vice-chairman of the Shanxi provincial political advisory body, during leadership shuffles of the province's Party Committee, prosecutors said.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that besides taking and receiving bribes, Du had also committed adultery.

The investigation of Du began in February 2015.

Du's legal team was with him throughout the trial, and both the prosecution and defense were given the opportunity to fully review the evidence and express their opinions, the court said.

More than 60 people, including Du's relatives, local lawmakers, political advisers and reporters observed the trial.

(China Daily 08/31/2016 page4)