Lai Xiaomin was sentenced to death for taking bribes.Credit:AP
Lai,58,was put to death by a court in Tianjin,east of Beijing,the government announced.
The Second Intermediate People’s Court of Tianjin ruled in January that death was justified because Lai took “especially enormous” bribes to make investments,offer construction contracts,help with promotions and provide other favors.
Lai asked for or collected 1.8 billion yuan ($340 million) over a decade,the court said. It said one bribe exceeded 600 million yuan. He also was convicted of embezzling more than 25 million yuan and starting a second family while still married to his first wife.
Lai “endangered national financial security and financial stability,” said a commentary on the state TV website.
The death penalty “was his own responsibility,and he deserved it,” the commentary said.
Most death sentences imposed by Chinese courts are suspended for two years and usually are commuted to life. Death penalties without the chance of a reprieve are rare.
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