A former chief of the salt administration bureau in Guangdong province admitted in court to accepting bribes during his tenure, saying his mistress forced him to do so.

Shen Zhiqiang, former director of the Guangdong salt administration bureau, accused of receiving 650,000 yuan ($95,200) in bribes, pleaded guilty in the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

Shen said he accepted the money only because his "mistress threatened to expose their relationship" if he refused.