Top aide to China's former president expelled from party, faces prosecution over corruption

FILE - In this Wednesday March 14, 2012, file photo, Ling Jihua, a loyal aide and confidante to President Hu Jintao looks on as he attends the closing ceremony of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China’s state media say former President Hu Jintao’s top aide has been stripped of his party membership, removed from all government positions, and will be criminally prosecuted on corruption charges. The official Xinhua News Agency said Monday, July 20, 2015 that an internal investigation found that Ling, who once served as head of the Communist Party's general office, took huge bribes and used his position to seek benefits for others. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 file photo, Ling Jihua, top left, a loyal aide and confidante to President Hu Jintao, bottom right, sits behind Premier Wen Jiabao, bottom left, and Hu as they attend a plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China’s state media say former President Hu Jintao’s top aide has been stripped of his party membership, removed from all government positions, and will be criminally prosecuted on corruption charges. The official Xinhua News Agency said Monday, July 20, 2015 that an internal investigation found that Ling, who once served as head of the Communist Party's general office, took huge bribes and used his position to seek benefits for others. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) (The Associated Press)

China's state media say former President Hu Jintao's top aide has been stripped of his party membership, removed from all government positions, and will be criminally prosecuted on corruption charges.

Xinhua News Agency said Monday that an internal investigation found that Ling Jihua, who once served as head of the Communist Party's general office, took huge bribes and used his position to seek benefits for others.

The news report also suggests Ling might have leaked classified information.

Ling's former position is comparable in U.S. politics to the president's chief of staff.

Ling became a household name in 2012 when his son crashed a Ferrari in Beijing with two nude or half-dressed women, according to various reports. Ling Jihua was accused of covering up the scandal.