600 guests give 'gifts' at cop's housewarming
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-02 11:35

A police official who collected housewarming "gift money" from more than 600 people when he moved into his new house is under investigation in Hainan Province.

The Nanguo Dushi Daily reported yesterday Shi, the police official at Longtan Police Station at state-owned Gong'ai Farm in Dongfang City, accepted 9,800 yuan (US$1,225) Monday from guests at his housewarming banquet.

The official identified as Shi reportedly handed in the money to the police disciplinary department late Monday night.

Shi told a newspaper reporter Tuesday that it was his wife's and mother's idea to invite so many friends and relatives.

Shi said he would learn his lesson, accept supervision and never make the same mistake.

According to civil service rules, public servants are prohibited from collecting money from the public in the case of marriages, funerals and housewarmings, said Liu Yang, an attorney Beijing Huacheng Law Office.

The housewarming story came to light when a resident of Gong'ai Farm called the newspaper hotline on Monday, reporting that more than 600 people were attending the housewarming by the police official.

Huang told reporters that banquet guests were giving money as gifts.

The reporter from Nanguo Dushi hurried to the address, posing as a businessman, and was invited to dinner. He saw money collected and was told by one guest it was easier to do business if he got along well with a police official.

The reporter saw money collectors at the door. Amounts ranged from 50 yuan to several hundred yuan. Amounts and guest names were registered.