The former deputy general manager of state-owned oil giant China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and an ally of former security chief Zhou Yongkang has been put on trial for alleged corruption.

Wang Yongchun (photo), who was investigated in August 2013, was accused of taking 48.5 million yuan ($7.8 million) in bribes from 67 entities and individuals in exchange for construction projects and promotions. Over 42 million yuan ($6.8 million) of his assets were obtained from unknown sources, prosecutors said. The assistance Wang has offered to bribe-givers caused huge losses to the state.

Wang has confessed to his crimes and provided clues about other corruption cases, therefore is eligible for a lenient sentence, prosecutors added.

Wang did not raise any objections to the allegations made and in his final statement, he expressed remorse.

CNPC, the parent of PetroChina, has been rocked by one of the worst corruption scandals in China. CNPC’s former head Zhou Yongkang and dozens of his allies in the oil sector have been investigated, prosecuted or jailed. Wang was reportedly an assistant to Zhou at PetroChina’s Daqing Oilfield and had climbed up the party ranks with Zhou’s help.

Sources: Modern Express (现代快报), BBC Chinese