Xinhua said Ling was convicted of taking $11.57 million in bribes, either directly or through his wife and son. A former top presidential aide and consummate Chinese political insider was sentenced Monday to life in prison for taking bribes, illegally obtaining state secrets and abusing powers in a downfall set off by an alleged cover-up of his son's death in a speeding Ferrari. In 2013 he was made a vice chairman of the powerless advisory body to China's ceremonial parliament. While working at the United Front Work Department and on the parliament's advisory body, Ling obtained a large amount of state secrets through his contact at the General Office, violating China's rules on state secrets, Xinhua said. Ling headed the ruling Communist Party's General Office under former President Hu Jintao, a position comparable to chief of staff to the U.S. president.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 04, 2016 10:07 UTC