CHINA: OFFICIAL GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR BRIBERY

February 27, 2009: A former planning official from southwest China's Chongqing municipality was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery.
Jiang Yong, former director of the Chongqing Urban Planning Bureau, was found guilty of taking bribes worth 17.96 million yuan (about US$2.63 million) in collusion with his mistress Tang Wei, according to the Intermediate People's Court of Chongqing.
They took the bribes from real-estate developers through two companies founded under Tang's name in 2004.
In return, Jiang helped developers get land.
He was caught in April 2008. All Jiang's belongings were confiscated and his illicit money is to be recovered, according to the verdict.
Jiang said he would not appeal the verdict.
Tang was given a 15-year jail term on complicity. (Sources: Xinhua, 27/02/2009)