Bribe-taking former official receives life sentence

GUIYANG - Former senior official from southwest China's Guizhou Province, Cheng Mengren, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes, a court announced on Wednesday.

Cheng, former director of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Transport, was convicted of taking bribes together with his mistress He Wen of over 20.57 million yuan (3.3 million U.S. dollars).

Cheng was also deprived of political rights for life and all his property has been confiscated, according to the court ruling by the Intermediate People's Court in the provincial capital city of Guiyang.

Cheng took advantage of his posts and offered business opportunities to several companies and individuals.

He Wen was also sentenced to life imprisonment, according to the court.