Macau’s $100 million man faces bribes trial
MACAU – The largest corruption trial in the history of gambling enclave Macau has opened, with a former minister accused of taking US$100m in bribes.
The BBC reports that Ao Man-long, who served as minister for transport and public works, faces 25 years in jail if he is convicted.
Prosecutors say Mr Ao took bribes in return for approving construction deals in the former Portuguese colony, which was returned to Chinese rule in 1999.
He has not yet entered a plea in the case, which is due to last a month.
Macau is the only resort in China where casino gambling is legal, attracting a flood of foreign investment.
For seven years Mr Ao was the senior official responsible for transport and public works in Macau, overseeing a huge construction boom.
He was arrested in December last year and later charged with 76 offences, including money-laundering, taking bribes and abuse of power.
He is alleged to have accumulated $100m – about 57 times his official income.
Anti-corruption officials say Mr Ao took bribes from at least three property developers – two in Hong Kong and one from mainland China.
The BBC’s Vaudine England reports that the Macau administration has become unpopular for allowing rampant casino development while the gap between rich and poor has continued to widen. ?
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt