HEFEI, June 19 -- A former senior official in east China's Jiangxi Province was sentenced to 12 years in jail for bribery on Friday.

Chen Anzhong, former deputy director of the standing committee of the provincial people's congress, was accused of taking bribes worth 8.1 million yuan (1.3 million U.S. dollars) from companies and individuals between 1996 and 2013.

In return, Chen helped them with loans, contracts and promotions.

Chen, who was tried at the Intermediate People's Court in Bengbu City of neighboring Anhui Province, was also fined 800,000 yuan of his personal wealth.

Chen served as mayor or party chief of several cities in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces before climbing to the post in the provincial people's congress. He was removed from his position in late 2013.