Corruption and graft are practically a national pastime of China's politically unopposed, massively wealthy Communist government. A recent discovery reveals just how big the problem might be.
Ma Chaoqun, a former manager of the Beidaihe Water Supply Corporation under investigation for graft, was discovered to be in possession of 82 lbs. of gold when authorities searched his home. But that's not all: Ma also had nearly $20 million in cash on hand as well as documents related to 68 different houses. Ma now faces charges of bribery, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
When is an offensive social media post a crime?The Explainer UK legal system walks a 'difficult tightrope' between defending free speech and prosecuting hate speech
-
Women are getting their own baseball league againIn the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodityUnder the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
