Prosecutors in Xinxiang, Henan province, have formally charged former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, non-state official bribery and offering bribes. The 60-year-old 'CEO monk' was ousted in July last year amid financial and sexual scandals.
Prosecutors in Xinxiang, Henan province, have formally charged the 60-year-old Shi Yongxin with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, non-state official bribery and offering bribes, according to a Friday report from state news agency Xinhua. The former abbot, known as the 'CEO monk', led the Shaolin Temple for over 25 years and was ousted in July last year. The same month, the Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi’s Buddhist credentials, accusing him of “seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks”. Companies linked to Shi were also deregistered. Following an investigation, local authorities announced in November the approval of his arrest on multiple criminal charges. The indictment comes four months after the arrest. The specific amount of money involved has not been disclosed.