SHANGHAI - Chen Meng, the former deputy head of a district government in Shanghai, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for taking huge bribes, according to a court verdict handed down on Monday.

The Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court found Chen guilty of taking bribes worth 15.48 million yuan ($2.46 million) at the first instance trial.

Chen, born in 1962, took the bribes when he was the deputy head of the Songjiang District government between 2003 and early 2011, according to the court.

He took advantage of his job, which involved supervising construction projects in the district, by offering benefits for those who managed the projects while taking bribes in return.

Chen was transferred to the city's Putuo district, where he also acted as deputy head, before being detained last September.

Chen has pled guilty to the charges against him.