Former Hebei provincial legislator sentenced to 15 years for bribery

Zhang Jiehui, a former legislator of north China's Hebei Province, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday for taking bribes.

Zhang, a former deputy chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People's Congress, also had 6 million yuan (US$858,000) worth of personal assets confiscated, according to the verdict of the Intermediate People's Court of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province.

The illicit gains that Zhang received in the form of bribes, as well as any interest arising from them, will be turned over to the national treasury.

Zhang, who also served as the mayor of the city of Anshan, Liaoning Province, the secretary of the Anshan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice governor of Hebei, took advantage of his posts and influence to benefit certain institutions and individuals on business operations, loan applications, land-use rights and job promotions between 2001 and 2017, said the verdict.

In return, Zhang accepted money and valuables worth over 127 million yuan, either personally or through others, according to the verdict.

Zhang was given a lenient punishment since he confessed to his crimes, pled guilty, showed repentance, and surrendered his illicit gains, said the court.