Salt boss admits taking huge bribes
- Source: Global Times
- [02:33 December 02 2009]
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Shen Zhiqiang(file photo)
By Xu Shenglan
The former chief of the Salt Bureau of Guangdong Province and six other officials were tried for accepting bribes, Guangzhou-based New Express reported Tuesday.
Shen Zhiqiang, 61, the former general manager of Guangdong Salt Industry Corporation and former chief of the Salt Bureau of Guangdong Province, admitted in court Tuesday that he received bribes of 659,000 yuan ($ 96,500) from 2006 to 2008 from a carton box supplier.
Prosecutors accused Shen of taking advantage of his official positions to help the carton box supplier, Guangzhou Rich Paperarticle Co., Ltd. with bidding, contract signing, carton sales and other business supports.
However, Shen defended allegations that his mistress, surnamed Bai, forced him to accept the bribes, otherwise she would make public their affair. The woman also had an affair with the briber.
Shen was detained at the end of 2008, and the government sacked him in January.
Investigations into a string of corruption cases within the salt industry were launched.
Chen Qiongfu, former deputy chief of Salt Bureau of Guangdong, was tried in the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in July for receiving 189,000 yuan in bribes from subordinate officials.
Xia Guanghai, former deputy general manager of Dongguan Salt Company, got a prison term of 12 years in July for receiving 1.81 million yuan in bribes from salt smugglers.
Table salt must be produced and supplied by local salt companies with authorization from the State Council at prices set by the council, according to regulations issued in 1996 in order to strengthen the management over iodized table salt and to protect public health.
However, industry insiders told the local newspaper that illegal producers and traders have established a network for unauthorized salt in Guangdong a long time ago.
Except salt companies, corrupt officials in transportation, public security and other government agencies also provided protection for salt smugglers.
