Former economic official Liu Tienan has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from his post, said the Party's discipline watchdog Thursday.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said it found Liu, former deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, took advantage of his position to seek profits for others, and both Liu and his family accepted huge amounts of bribes.

The ministerial-level official was also found to "seek benefits for his relatives' businesses by breaking laws, accepting cash and gifts." He was also "morally degenerate," said the watchdog, adding that his illegal properties have been confiscated and Liu himself will be handed over to judicial organs.

The Party dismissed Liu from his position for "serious disciplinary violations" in May, after he was accused by Luo Changping, a journalist, on his Sina Weibo of corruption and falsifying his academic degree in December. The discipline watchdog started the probe following the tip-off.

Liu remained head of the National Energy Administration until March. While heading the administration, he managed to process and give approval to 50 energy projects covering electricity, wind power and gas pipelines, reports said.

Liu, whose violations were initially exposed by his former mistress in Japan, has been reported to have taken bribes for helping a businessman receive fraudulent loans of over C$199 million from banks in 2011.

Global Times - Agencies