Zhou Benshun, the former Party chief of Hebei province, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for accepting bribes.

Personal assets worth 2 million yuan ($291,000) and his illicit gains will be confiscated and turned over to the State, according to Xiamen Intermediate People's Court in Fujian province, which heard his case.

The court heard that Zhou had made 40 million yuan from bribes. The corrupt conduct made him so wealthy that he had a maid whose sole duty was to care for his pets, according to a documentary aired on China Central Television.