Official under probe for owning 21 houses
Source: Xinhua |
October 12, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A GUANGZHOU official was suspended yesterday after authorities found his family owned 21 houses, well above what his legitimate earnings would allow.
The case of Cai Bin, a senior urban management official of Panyu District, Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, was exposed in cyberspace by muckrakers, according to a statement issued by the Communist Party of China's discipline inspection committee of Panyu.
Cai, 56, concealed much of his real estate portfolio when submitting reports of personal assets as required, the statement said. He told authorities last year and this year that his family had only two houses. He denied the extent of his property ownership on Wednesday when reached by a Xinhua reporter.
Cai is the latest in a series of officials who have been targeted by netizens and later investigated by disciplinary watchdogs over the past three years.
Last month, Yang Dacai, a former senior work safety official in Shaanxi Province, was sacked due to a corruption scandal that was exposed after photos were posted online showing him wearing at least 11 expensive wristwatches on different occasions.
Cyberspace has become an effective tool for grass-roots people to help fight government corruption, a major complaint alongside a widening gap between rich and poor.
"The local authorities set up an investigation team shortly after Cai's case was exposed. The team started the probe on Wednesday," said Guo Xuanyu, deputy head of the Panyu discipline inspection committee.
Of the 21 houses, 19 are registered under the name of his wife, Shi Liying, and his son. One is jointly owned by Cai and Shi and the other is under his own name.
A real estate agency estimated the market value of the properties at about 40 million yuan (US$6.3 million).
Cai's monthly pay is around 10,000 yuan. His wife, a retired government employee, earns even less.
"Given his income and high housing prices, it is rather difficult for people to believe the 21 houses were all bought legally," Guo said.
Yesterday morning, Guangzhou inspection authorities used their official blog to announce the decision to suspend Cai and investigate further.
In dealing with corruption tip-offs from netizens, the local government's speedy response has won applause.
"The action taken by the inspection authorities was quick and powerful," said a blogger.
The case of Cai Bin, a senior urban management official of Panyu District, Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, was exposed in cyberspace by muckrakers, according to a statement issued by the Communist Party of China's discipline inspection committee of Panyu.
Cai, 56, concealed much of his real estate portfolio when submitting reports of personal assets as required, the statement said. He told authorities last year and this year that his family had only two houses. He denied the extent of his property ownership on Wednesday when reached by a Xinhua reporter.
Cai is the latest in a series of officials who have been targeted by netizens and later investigated by disciplinary watchdogs over the past three years.
Last month, Yang Dacai, a former senior work safety official in Shaanxi Province, was sacked due to a corruption scandal that was exposed after photos were posted online showing him wearing at least 11 expensive wristwatches on different occasions.
Cyberspace has become an effective tool for grass-roots people to help fight government corruption, a major complaint alongside a widening gap between rich and poor.
"The local authorities set up an investigation team shortly after Cai's case was exposed. The team started the probe on Wednesday," said Guo Xuanyu, deputy head of the Panyu discipline inspection committee.
Of the 21 houses, 19 are registered under the name of his wife, Shi Liying, and his son. One is jointly owned by Cai and Shi and the other is under his own name.
A real estate agency estimated the market value of the properties at about 40 million yuan (US$6.3 million).
Cai's monthly pay is around 10,000 yuan. His wife, a retired government employee, earns even less.
"Given his income and high housing prices, it is rather difficult for people to believe the 21 houses were all bought legally," Guo said.
Yesterday morning, Guangzhou inspection authorities used their official blog to announce the decision to suspend Cai and investigate further.
In dealing with corruption tip-offs from netizens, the local government's speedy response has won applause.
"The action taken by the inspection authorities was quick and powerful," said a blogger.
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