China's ruling Communist Party has sacked a top policymaker following a probe into graft allegation involving USD 200 million that emerged after his Japanese mistress spilled the beans.
Liu Tienan, 58, a top official at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), was fired after key information on his involvement in serious disciplinary violations triggered an investigation.
The decision to fire him "was made because of Liu's suspected involvement in serious disciplinary violations", state-run Xinhua news agency reported today citing a statement from the the CPC's Organisation Department.
Luo Changping, deputy editor-in-chief of Caijing magazine, told China Business News yesterday that before collecting other evidence of Liu's illegal acts, his information first came from Liu's mistress, surnamed Xu, who lives in Japan.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced on Sunday that Liu, former director of the National Energy Administration (NEA) and deputy director of the NDRC, is being investigated.
Liu helped Ni Ritao, a businessman, to defraud loans of over USD 200 million from banks in 2011, and in return, Liu's wife and son then received bribes, Luo said.
Ni denied the accusations but admitted that Liu's son worked for his company and Liu's wife was one of the company's shareholders.
Luo said Liu and Xu met in Japan, when Liu was economic counsellor in the Chinese embassy.
He added that after their break-up, Liu sent several death threats to Xu, state-run Global Times reported.
A source said although the NEA said in a clarification that the accusations were "purely slander" after Luo's report in December 2012, the watchdog had started to collect evidence.
Liu Suhua, a law professor with the Party School of the ruling CPC said NEA's response was rash as only the CCDI has the right to claim whether a ministry-level official has violated any rules.
NEA sources told sina.Com.Cn that Liu was on the verge of a mental breakdown, with his wife and son having been investigated since early 2013.
