A Communist Party secretary in Wuhan Province was suspended after racking up a huge unpaid bill at a restaurant that specializes in pork trotters.
Han Junhong, secretary of the township Party committee in Xuchang, partook of lavish meals worth 700,000 yuan (about $115,000) over three years. Han charged the banquets to local authorities, as the restaurant is the official venue for government functions, according to state media the Global Times.
Due to the lack of payment, restaurant owner Geng Weijie had to close the establishment, and decided to hang red banners outside, naming Han in an attempt to shame the authorities into paying him.
“I am seriously ill, I have a small child, and my family has debts to pay,” Geng said, according to the Beijing News.
The story gained traction on Sina Weibo, China’s Twitter-like microblogging service, leading to an official investigation and payment of the bill.
Earlier this year, central authorities launched an austerity drive to target bribery and extravagant spending by cadres, including the use of public money for food and gifts. The push was aimed at reducing public anger over corruption among officials.
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