( CNN ) -- Bo Xilai , the Chinese politician who fell from grace amid a dramatic political scandal , has been expelled from the Communist Party and relieved of his duties , China 's state-run news agency , Xinhua , reported Friday . Bo once was considered a top contender for the Politburo Standing Committee , the team of nine politicians who effectively rule China , but the news report on his expulsion painted a portrait of corruption , abuse of power and improper sexual relationships . The party said Bo made `` severe mistakes '' in the killing of a British businessman -- a crime for which his wife was imprisoned -- and a diplomatic incident involving a police official , Xinhua said . Investigators cited influence peddling , bribery and womanizing , new details found in the course of the party 's investigation . `` Bo had or maintained improper sexual relationships with a number of women , '' the state news agency said . He also took advantage of his power to seek profits and received bribes , Xinhua said . And his family `` accepted a huge amount of money and property from others , '' the news agency reported . The news came a month before China 's Communist Party is expected to meet at its 18th National Congress in Beijing to announce who 'll occupy the top positions . Bo Xilai saga nears end game . Bo is a charismatic , albeit controversial , politician who launched a `` smashing black , singing red '' campaign in the southwestern city of Chongqing that promoted Communist ideology and zealously cracked down on organized crime . His economic programs , which included millions spent on social welfare , made him a popular leader in Chongqing . But analysts say his populist policies and high-profile personal style were seen as a challenge to the more economically liberal and reform-oriented faction that dominates the current party leadership . Bo 's fortunes changed when news surfaced this year that his wife , Gu Kailai , was suspected to be an accomplice in a murder case . Gu and family aide Zhang Xiaojun were arrested in early April , suspected of poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood . Heywood died in November in Chongqing , where Bo was the Communist Party chief . His death was originally blamed on excessive alcohol consumption . Bo was soon stripped of his top posts for `` serious breach of discipline . '' In August , his wife received a suspended death sentence after a seven-hour trial . Days later , four senior Chongqing police officers were also sentenced to jail for covering up the murder . Opinion : China murder trial a rigged spectacle . Why was Gu Kailai spared ? Wang Lijun , the former police chief of Chongqing , set off the Bo story on February 6 , when he fled to the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu and told American diplomats that Gu was a suspected accomplice in a murder case . After his request for asylum was turned down , Wang left the consulate and was taken away by Chinese officials . But his accusations rocked the world 's most populous nation . Wang this week was sentenced to 15 years for defection , coverup , bribe taking and abuse of power . The party expelled Bo after an investigation of the killing and Wang 's visit to the consulate , a trip made `` without permission , '' Xinhua said . The investigators said Bo `` bore major responsibility '' in the Wang incident and the killing , Xinhua reported , citing the investigation results . Bo Xilai 'implicated ' in murder . Bo 's fall from grace . `` He took advantage of his office to seek profits for others and received huge bribes personally and through his family . His position was also abused by his wife ... to seek profits for others and his family thereby accepted a huge amount of money and property from others , '' Xinhua said . Investigators determined that his behavior tarnished the party 's reputation , Xinhua reported . The investigation discovered `` clues to his suspected involvement in other crimes . '' The party investigators sent their conclusions to judicial authorities . `` Bo had affairs and maintained improper sexual relationships with a number of women . He was also found to have violated organizational and personnel disciplines and made wrong decisions in personnel promotion , which led to serious consequences . '' The trials and convictions have been carefully scripted and apparently timed to `` deal '' with Bo ahead of the planned leadership transition at the Communist Party 's 18th National Congress . Disgraced party chief looms large over China 's leadership . Who are the next generation of Chinese leaders ? Jockeying for position ahead of China 's leadership jamboree .
He finds drug peddling , bribery and corruption . Bo Xilai 's economic programs made him popular in Chongqing . He once was considered for the Central Standing Committee , a team that effectively ruled China . Bo 's life changed when his wife was tied to a murder case .