Justice Ministry official loses position, expelled from Party

A former senior official in the Ministry of Justice who provided false personal documents and who is suspected of corruption has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from office, the top disciplinary watchdog said on Thursday.

An investigation found that Lu Enguang, a former member of the leading Party group of the ministry, provided fake information regarding his age, family members, education and employment background when he joined the Party, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The commission said in a statement that he used money and personal connections to "buy official positions and honorary titles" that enabled him to rise "from a private enterprise owner to a vice-ministerial-level official".

He was also found to have been simultaneously acting as an official and a businessman, and had sought benefits for multiple enterprises he controlled in improper ways, it said.

To benefit his business operations and get promotions in public office, he was said to have offered large amounts of money and gifts to government officials, it said.

The case has been delivered to judicial authorities for further investigation.

"Lu's values are severely twisted, and what he did seriously violated Party discipline," the CCDI said. "He tarnished the image and the personnel selection system of the Party and undermined the political environment of related regions and units."

It noted that the circumstances were serious, which is why he was dismissed from public office and expelled from the Party. In addition, the titles he obtained dishonestly will be revoked, it added.

Lu, a native of Shandong province, graduated from Tongji University in Shanghai. In the past he was a teacher and then the head of a science and technology facility.

He joined the ministry in 2009 and became a member of its leading Party group in 2015.