An investigation was launched against a mid-ranking official at the Zhuhai tobacco monopoly administration, who was said to own five houses and have deposits valued at more than 6 million yuan ($965,000) in this Pearl River Delta city.

Li Tong, director of the administration's marketing department, was also reported to own several luxury cars and like online gambling, according to an anonymous Internet user's online post in December.

The post has spurred heated discussion online. Real estate industry insiders estimated that the five properties have a total value of more than 10 million yuan.

Li said the properties were purchased with his and his wife's legal income. Li's administration confirmed Li earns about 200,000 yuan a year working in the administration, while Li's wife, a local educator, earns another 200,000 yuan.

Li also said that he never gambles.

The administration's discipline department promised a thorough investigation and to make its findings public.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn