Liu Tienan investigated for taking bribes

BEIJING -- Liu Tienan, a former deputy chief of China's top economic planning body, has been put under judicial investigation, suspected of taking bribes, authorities said on Sunday.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate has decided to open an investigation into the case of Liu and has imposed "compulsory measures" on him.

Liu, a former deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, was dismissed from his post in May over suspected involvement in "serious disciplinary violations."

Earlier this month, Liu was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office. The CPC's discipline watchdog said it has found Liu "took advantage of his position to seek profits for others, and both Liu and his family accepted huge amount of bribes."

Liu has also been found to "seek benefits for his relatives' businesses by breaking relevant regulations, accept cash and gifts." Liu was also "morally degenerate", according to the CPC.