China expels former Politburo member Ma Xingrui in graft purge
What's new: Investigators accused Ma of fixing appointments, taking gifts and letting relatives profit through what authorities called large-scale family corruption.
China expelled former Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the Communist Party after an investigation found corruption and abuse of power, escalating Xi Jinping's campaign against senior officials. State news agency Xinhua said investigators concluded Ma manipulated the selection and promotion of officials, arranged jobs for certain people, accepted illegal gifts and helped family members buy property below market value. Authorities also accused him of trading power, money and sexual relationships for personal gain and allowing relatives to use his position to reap huge profits. Ma, once a senior party official and deputy head of the central rural affairs leadership group, came under investigation in April for what the party calls serious violations of law and discipline.