Former Chinese Energy chief gets life term for bribery

LANGFANG , China, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Liu Tienan, former head of China's National Energy Administration, received a life sentence for bribery by a Langfang, China, court.

Liu, 60, was found guilty of taking 36 million yuan in bribes ($5.8 million) while deputy head of the energy office. The Langfang City Intermediate People's Court said he and his son, Liu Decheng, received the illicit payments from 2002 to 2012 in stock, cars, cash and a no-show job for the son, adding Liu admitted taking a lesser amount, 19 million yuan ($3.07 million). Liu denied the charges, but in a September trial admitted taking bribes that included a Porsche and a luxury home in Beijing.

He received the maximum penalty from the court, although his defense attorneys pleaded for a more lenient sentence, noting he had cooperated with prosecutors.

"Liu believes the punishment is harsh. He did everything because of his son. He's spoiled his son, and he now regrets that, Li Fabao, his lawyer, told Bloomberg News. His son will be tried separately.

After leaving the National Energy Administration, Liu ran the National Development and Reform Commission, China's most influential economic planning body, until he was stripped of his office.

Over 80,000 Chinese government officials have received punishment for breaking Communist Party rules since President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign began, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection reported last week.