A FORMER Longgang District land official standing trial for corruption requested leniency and a suspended sentence claiming that most of the funds he collected as bribes went to charitable causes.

    During his second trial, this time before Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, Chen Daoyi, 48, former deputy chief of Longgang land planning and resources commission, said most of the cash bribes he accepted were donated to good causes, like the construction of schools and hospitals.

    At his first trial, standing before Futian District People’s Court, Chen was sentenced to prison for 10 years for accepting bribes of 600,000 yuan (US$98,000) and HK$510,000 (US$65,700) during his tenure as deputy chief between 2010 and 2012.

    Chen did not deny charges that he used some of the ill-gotten funds to pay for the medical treatment of his father, to buy a car for his wife and to pay for an overseas education for his son.

    Chen was charged with accepting bribes of HK$170,000 and a shopping card worth 6,000 yuan from Luo Lieding, chairman of Shenzhen Xuyuan Investment Co., in 2009 in return for approving a property project in cooperation with Nanlian Shareholding Co. in Longgang District. In 2010, Chen took bribes of 300,000 yuan and HK$40,000 from Zhuang Xiaokua, chairman of Shenzhen Chenghai Investment and Development Co., to facilitate a land development project with Shenzhen Wulian Shareholding Co.

    Chen also accepted 300,000 yuan in bribes from Shenzhen Taide Construction and Investment Co. in November 2011, reportedly abusing his power in approving a village land development project. In December Chen took another HK$300,000 from the company in return for approving the incorporation of two city green space parcels within the project. The approval, which was forwarded to city’s land administration, was rejected because it conflicted with overall planning.

    Chen’ crimes surfaced in November 2012 after a probe into the business affairs of Zhou Weisi, vice chairman with Nanlian Shareholding Co. Zhou was accused of holding more than 80 properties and 20 cars collectively worth 2 billion yuan.

    The first trial in the Futian court concluded with Chen sentenced to 10 years in prison.(Han Ximin)