Beijing tax chief gets death sentence

Beijing, May 10 (IANS) The former chief of the Beijing Local Taxation Bureau has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for indulging in corruption, it was reported Thursday.

The No.1 Intermediate People's Court Wednesday found that between 2002 and 2009, 64-year-old Wang Jiping took bribes totalling more than 4 million yuan ($633,900) and embezzled 10 million yuan.

The court said Wang colluded with his brother, son and other relatives to rig the bidding process for government procurement, construction tenders and employment, Global Times reported.

Wang received bribes from several individuals and Shangdong Langchao Commercial Ltd on multiple occasions, the report said.

It was reported that a mistress of one of Wang's employees reported Wang to authorities after she and her partner came under investigation.

In court Wednesday, Wang said he was not guilty.

After serving in the military, Wang entered politics and worked his way up to the chief post of the Beijing Local Taxation Bureau.