Radio France Internationale (RFI) recently reported that, since October, both Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo and his first deputy Dou Yupei have been under investigation. The corruption charges might involve over 200 billion RMB (US$29.4 billion) in the National Welfare Lottery area alone. Some reports also mentioned that Li Liguo has eleven mistresses as well as twelve passports, none of which was used before he was caught. Li Liguo is the first sitting cabinet member put under investigation in recent years. This large amount of money triggered widespread criticism among Chinese netizens online – some even questioned whether the Lottery actually generated random number. Investigators discovered tens of billions under Li’s name in Chinese currency as well as in U.S. Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, Australian Dollars and Swiss Francs. He also owns five real estate properties in five major Chinese cities, in addition to another 15 properties for his mistresses. The National Welfare Lottery was under direct management of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Lottery operates in over 30 provinces. In the past, the Ministry had also been accused of misappropriating natural disaster relief funds that had been accumulated from donations.
Source: Radio France Internationale, December 4, 2016
http://rfi.my/2h8G3Is