Former security head Zhou Yongkang’s aide has been expelled after being probed of taking bribes.

China’s Communist Party issued the ruling on Thursday making the move against those who were close to the former security chief. The aide identified Li Chongxi was removed from office following the graft probe. Li served as the chief of a Sichuan advisory board.

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The Communist Party watchdog said in a statement that Li has abused his power in exchange of benefits. The statement also said the act of receiving bribe has seriously violated the party’s standards. Furthermore, the watchdog said Li received hefty sums of bribe through his other family members.

The head of China’s prosecution panel said it has started a bribery probe on Li and that his case has already been passed to the judicial officials.

There were no other information provided in the statements and Li was not available to comment regarding the issue.

The investigation of Zhou’s case was announced in July. Zhou has been the party boss in Sichuan from 1999 to 2002. This was seen as one of his power sources. Meanwhile, Zhou’s allies were also probed for corruption. This included Li Dongsheng, ex-Vice Minister of Public Security. Jiang Jiemen was also questioned for corruption after staying into office for tenure of five months. Jiang was the head regulator of enterprises owned by the state.

Zhou Yongkang has been a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and named one of the most powerful political figures in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a campaign against corruption from the time he stepped in to power. The president said that the problem confronted by corruption has been threatening the survival of the Communist Party. Furthermore, he vowed on taking down those who are powerful in their offices along with those who are in low positions.

TagsZhou Yongkang, Politburo Standing Committee, Sichuan, Li Chogxi