Former China mayor sentenced to life for bribery

A provincial leader of the ruling Communist Party of China and former deputy mayor of a Chinese city was today sentenced to life in prison for taking more than USD 1.6 million in bribes.
The Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court found Liu Rongzhao, former deputy mayor of the city of Zengcheng, guilty of corruption and sentenced him for life.
The verdict said Liu had taken more than 10 million yuan (USD 1.6 million) in bribes from January 2003 to March 2011, when he served as head of Xintang Township, secretary of the CPC Working Committee of Licheng Street, deputy director of the Standing Committee of People's Congress of Zengcheng and deputy mayor of Zengcheng.

The court deprived Liu of his political rights for life and confiscated assets worth one million yuan. Other illegal income obtained by Liu will also be confiscated, the court said.