China official jailed after gambling away 11 mln dollar

SHANGHAI, Nov 25 (Reuters) A former town mayor in China has been jailed for 20 years after gambling away over 90 million yuan of public money, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Li Weimin, 43, former head of wealthy Tangxia Township in the southern manufacturing centre of Dongguan, lost the money during 257 gambling trips to nearby Macao and Hong Kong between 2000 and 2004, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Arrested in 2005, Li said he became addicted to gambling after business trips to Macao, which is known for its booming casino industry. He admitted diverting public money from several collective firms where he worked as manager.

Li was convicted of embezzlement and receiving bribes. His personal property was confiscated.

REUTERS BDP VV0853