Du Zi, former deputy head of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for bribery, according to the Shenyang Intermediate People's Court in Liaoning province.

The court also imposed a fine of 8 million yuan ($1.11 million) and ordered the confiscation of Du's illegal gains and related interests.

An investigation found that from 2002 to 2015, Du used various positions — including mayor of Ordos and Party chief of Tongliao — to help individuals and entities with business operations and project contracting. In return, he accepted bribes totaling more than 81.91 million yuan, the court said.

The court noted that Du confessed after his arrest and cooperated with investigators by disclosing previously unknown details of his bribery, which led to a reduced sentence.

The case was publicly heard on May 16, during which Du admitted guilt and expressed remorse.