Retired official investigated over sexual harassment

Key Words: sexual harassment; sex; online sexual harassment allegations; Zhang Minqiang

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ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A retired official from central China's Henan province is being investigated following online sexual harassment allegations, local authorities said Monday.

Zhang Minqiang, former director of the bureau for letters and calls of the city of Shangqiu, was recently accused of sexual harassment by a female employee of the local transportation bureau.

Although the municipal public security bureau began its investigation into the case on Nov. 5, 2012, the investigation was not announced until recent online posts written by the woman detailed Zhang's alleged transgressions.

The bureau has refused to disclose the precise date of Zhang's retirement.

The woman's online posts stated that Zhang asked her for 100,000 yuan (16,000 U.S. dollars) in exchange for helping her find a job. However, the woman claimed that Zhang instead sexually assaulted her, attacking her multiple times since July 2009.

A video clip and several photos allegedly depicting Zhang assaulting the woman have gone viral online in the wake of the woman's claims.

The woman also claimed that Zhang had asked his son to kill her, as well as her own son, after the woman demanded that Zhang return her money in July 2012, at which time Zhang had not yet retired.

The municipal disciplinary department said it is also looking into the case.