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Chinese Internet celebrity sentenced for running casino

Xinhua, September 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Chinese Internet celebrity Guo Meimei has been sentenced to five years in prison for running casino, a Beijing court announced Thursday.

Guo, who stood trial Thursday, was also fined 50,000 yuan (7,840 U.S. dollars), according to the ruling of Dongcheng District People's Court.

Zhao Xiaolai, another suspect involved in the case, received a two-year sentence and was fined 20,000 yuan.

Guo was arrested in August 2014 for allegedly running casino, and was prosecuted in May 2015.

Guo gained notoriety in China in 2011, when she claimed to be manager of an organization under the charity, Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), and openly flaunted her wealth and extravagant lifestyle on social media.

The scandal dealt a major blow to the reputation of the RCSC. The incident and ensuing scandals triggered public concern about embezzlement and improper management of charities. Endi