BEIJING, Jan. 30 -- Ji Jianye, former mayor of Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The decision was made by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and approved by the CPC Central Committee, the CCDI announced on Thursday.

A CCDI investigation into Ji's suspected legal and disciplinary transgressions found that he took advantage of his position to seek benefits for others, received a huge amount of money and gifts either by himself or through his family members, according to a CCDI statement.

He is "morally corrupt," the statement said.

Ji's suspected crimes will be transferred to judicial authorities, it said.