An official in central China's Henan Province was dismissed Friday for embezzling 271,100 yuan (US$39,280) of quake relief funds, local authorities said.

Yu Yaowen, 47, deputy director of Anyang County People's Congress and head of the Anyang County Federation of Industry and Commerce, used funds donated by three local companies to buy shirts, trousers and suits worth 41,500 yuan at a sister's shop.

Yu used the remaining funds to buy sausages, instant noodles, drinking water, quilts and biscuits without the approval of superiors, a statement from the Anyang City discipline regulator said on Friday.

Yu transported the goods to the Guangyuan Municipal Red Cross Foundation on May 16 in Sichuan Province.

Yu was also accused of buying goods that were not in urgent need in the disaster area and using fake receipts.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2008)