Former Chinese President Hu Jintao’s top adviser Ling Jihua has been kicked out of the ruling Communist Party and sacked from his government post, state news agency Xinhua said Monday night.

Ling Jihua. Photo: cppcc.gov.cn.

The 58-year-old is accused of violating party discipline, taking bribes, illegally obtaining confidential information about the party and the country, abusing his power to secure economic gains for his wife and relatives as well as adultery. His case has been handed to the judiciary, Xinhua said.

Ling’s downfall began three years ago after his only son was killed in a scandalous car crash. Ling Gu crashed his Ferrari under a bridge in downtown Beijing with two half naked women in the vehicle in the early hours of March 18, 2012.

The scene of the car crash that killed Ling Gu in 2012. Photo: rdsj5.com

Before the incident, Ling, enjoyed a promising political career and was director of the General Office of the Communist Party’s Central Committee. The committee provides administrative support to the party’s most senior leaders. Retired premier Wen Jiabao held the same position in the 1980s.

After the incident, Ling was removed from the party’s corridors of power. He led the United Front Work Department for about two years before being sacked from the position. In December 2014, the party’s internal graft-fighting agency announced a probe into allegations of “discipline violation” against Ling.

Earlier this year, he was expelled from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). His elder brother Ling Zhengce and extended family have also been placed under investigation for alleged corruption.