BEIJING - A former vice governor in northeast China's Jilin Province has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office following an internal graft investigation.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Gu Chunli was found to have accepted bribes, and taken advantage of his post to seek benefits for others.

The investigation found that Gu misused public funds and state-owned enterprise vehicles, and gave favorable treatment to businesses in his wife's name.

He also violated the Party's code of conduct, interfered with the investigation and frequented private clubs, according to the statement.

Gu is now the subject of a criminal investigation. The internal investigation was launched in August.