An official who was found to have kept several mistresses was dismissed from his post and expelled from the Communist Party of China in Liaocheng, Shandong province.

A website affiliated with the Liaocheng government broke the news on Tuesday. The news was widely circulated online on other popular websites on Thursday.

Du Zeyong, former union director in the city, began his disgraced fall on Dec 26 when a whistleblower, speaking as Du's mistress, posted intimate photos of him with different women on a micro blog.

The whistleblower claimed to have given birth to a child of Du's and asked if Du had cheated on her by keeping another mistress. The post disclosed Du's full name and his government position.

Disciplinary authorities in Liaocheng launched an investigation into the case.

Li Hongqiang, a spokesman for the Liaocheng government, said if the allegations are verified, Du will be severely disciplined, a major news website in Shandong province reported on Dec 31.

Concerned netizens have expressed suspicion of other corrupt actions by Du, questioning his means to support several mistresses, even families, with his modest income.

Du is among an increasing number of disgraced officials embroiled in sex scandals as their mistresses have aired their grievances using social media. Revealing photos and video clips leaked online have led to their downfall and prompted investigations.

Lei Zhengfu, a district head of Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, was fired in November days after a sex video showing him and his mistress was uploaded on the Internet.