Chinese coal official accused of hiding $30 million at home admits to corruption charges

BEIJING – A low-ranking Chinese energy official accused of hiding more than $30 million in cash in his home has admitted to corruption charges in a northern Chinese court.

The Baoding City Intermediate People's Court said in a statement Tuesday that Wei Pengyuan, a former energy administration official, admitted to taking 211 million yuan ($32.5 million) in bribes and failed to account for another 131 million yuan ($20.2 million) in assets.

Under President Xi Jinping's administration, Beijing has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has netted both senior and junior officials.

Wei's case created a sensation after reports said investigators wore out four of the 16 cash-counting machines they used to tabulate his trove, China's largest-ever cash seizure.

The court has not issued a verdict.