A Chinese official at the centre of a intercourse tape extortion scandal that became an internet sensation has been jailed for 13 years for accepting bribes.
Lei Zhengfu, formerly a senior official in China's Chongqing district, was sacked from his post after a intercourse tape featuring him was put online last year. He has also been fined 300,000 yuan ($48,000 or £32,000).
The investigation into his activities began after the release of the intercourse video which captivated public opinion. Lei was also convicted of accepting bribes of around 3.16m Chinese yuan ($510,000or £330,000). His lawyer says he may appeal, Chinese state media reported.
A businessman who lured the official into the intercourseual encounter in order to blackmail him has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. At least 10 other officials have also been dismissed as a result of the scandal.
Millions of people in China saw video clips posted on the internet of the portly, balding former Communist Party official having intercourse with a woman hired by property developers.
The 18-year-old woman involved had secretly recorded the video as part of an elaborate blackmail plot. The lurid details of the affair have thrown a light on the links between intercourse, money and power in Chinese society, correspondents say.
Lei asked another property developer who had benefited from his patronage to pay hush money of 3m yuan to the blackmailers. He argued that the money was a loan, but prosecutors said the cash – not fully repaid – amounted to a bribe.
The Punch