Beijing --
An ex-police chief whose visit to a U.S. Consulate led to the fall of a prominent Chinese politician has resigned from the national legislature, state media reported Saturday, a sign that he might be a step closer to formal arrest and trial.
Wang Lijun, the former police chief of south China's Chongqing metropolis, asked to resign from the National People's Congress, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Wang has been under investigation since he visited the U.S. Consulate in nearby Chengdu city in February. He is thought to have divulged information unfavorable to Bo Xilai, then Chongqing's party chief.
It is unclear what charges Wang could face. He might be charged with treason if he divulged information on top-level Chinese officials to the Americans. Treason carries a maximum penalty of death, although Wang is expected to receive leniency for providing evidence against Bo and his wife. Bo was sacked from his job and is being investigated for unspecified violations. His wife, Gu Kailai, is a suspect in the death of a British businessman, Neil Heywood.
Wang's visit to the U.S. Consulate led to the public airing of some lurid details involving high officials that Beijing may have found embarrassing.
As a member of the Communist Party's Politburo, Bo was a likely candidate for a seat on its powerful Standing Committee when a new generation of leaders is named later this year. His downfall shocked many in the party.
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