ZHENGZHOU -- Le Dake, a former senior legislator in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for taking bribes on Friday.

According to the court, Le was also fined 2 million yuan ($290,000), and his illegal gains shall be recovered and turned over to the state treasury.

Le, former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, was found to have taken advantage of various official posts from 2005 to 2014 to seek benefits for others in project contracting and official promotions and reassignment.

He accepted bribes worth over 18.7 million yuan either himself or through his relatives, according to the ruling.

Zhengzhou City Intermediate People's Court in central China's Henan Province said it showed leniency as Le confessed to his crimes, expressed remorse and voluntarily returned his illegal gains.