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.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate on Friday announced that it had launched a criminal investigation into Gu, and that he had been placed under coercive measures.

Coercive measures can include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention and arrest.