'Friends in high places' claim lands writer in jail
By Pan Zheng |
April 26, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A WRITER has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for defrauding millions of yuan from victims with bogus claims that he had close links to officials who could assist their plans, Bejing Times reported yesterday.
The Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court ruled that from 2004 to 2006, 61-year-old Shanxi Province writer Shi Dongbing defrauded 3.445 million yuan (US$528,000) from eight victims.
He lied that he knew state and local government officials very well, and could use their support to secure promotion, approve projects and purchase cars at a lower price, the court heard.
Shi has published several political works and claimed he was vice chairman of the Literature Association of Houma City in Shanxi Province and had interviewed many former Party leaders.
Children of some former leaders featured in Shi's work accused the writer of fabricating interviews and historical details, reflecting badly on former leaders.
Of the eight victims, three were seeking promotion and five were hoping to secure business benefits. None succeeded under Shi's guidance.
Shi denied all the charges, claiming he had been set up.
He insisted that the money he was accused of defrauding was not bribery, but ordinary and legal economic exchanges between friends. Shi also insisted that he was on close terms with some national and local government leaders.
The writer's homes and car have been seized by police to compensate victims.
Shi has appealed to Beijing Higher People's Court.
The Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court ruled that from 2004 to 2006, 61-year-old Shanxi Province writer Shi Dongbing defrauded 3.445 million yuan (US$528,000) from eight victims.
He lied that he knew state and local government officials very well, and could use their support to secure promotion, approve projects and purchase cars at a lower price, the court heard.
Shi has published several political works and claimed he was vice chairman of the Literature Association of Houma City in Shanxi Province and had interviewed many former Party leaders.
Children of some former leaders featured in Shi's work accused the writer of fabricating interviews and historical details, reflecting badly on former leaders.
Of the eight victims, three were seeking promotion and five were hoping to secure business benefits. None succeeded under Shi's guidance.
Shi denied all the charges, claiming he had been set up.
He insisted that the money he was accused of defrauding was not bribery, but ordinary and legal economic exchanges between friends. Shi also insisted that he was on close terms with some national and local government leaders.
The writer's homes and car have been seized by police to compensate victims.
Shi has appealed to Beijing Higher People's Court.
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