A disgraced planning official from Chongqing was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Friday after being found guilty of corruption.

Jiang Yong, former director of the urban planning bureau, was found guilty by the Chongqing Intermediate People's Court of colluding with his mistress Tang Wei to take almost 18 million yuan ($2.6 million) in bribes from property developers.

Prosecutors said the firms paid Jiang to help them secure land deals. The bribes were paid through two firms set up in 2004 under Tang's name. He was arrested in April of last year.

All of Jiang's belongings have been seized and his ill-gotten money recovered, the court said.

Tang was given a 15-year jail term for her complicity.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2009)