Tax official suspended amid property investigation

A national tax official has been suspended from work after allegations he owned 173 business complexes in Dongguan, Guangdong province, according to the city's top anti-graft body.

Dongguan Party Commission of Discipline Inspection has launched an investigation into Luo Shaoqiang, who has been dubbed the "uncle of business complexes" by residents, Huang Guixin, a publicity official from the anti-graft body, told media over the weekend.

Huang said a special team was sent to investigate the allegations and Luo will be punished if found guilty.

The former director of Zhongtang township's national tax bureau was reported by local residents to have business complexes and other properties valued at more than 100 million yuan ($16.13 million), Huang said.

Luo, who was promoted to director in January, was found to have invested more than 70 million yuan in a local agricultural bazaar of which he apparently owned 22 percent.

He is also under investigation over the ownership of two villas, with an estimated value of more than 22 million yuan.