A former deputy editor-in-chief of a south China newspaper was found to be involved in seeking personal gains by taking advantage of his post, said local authorities Thursday.

Zhang Hongchao was suspected of making nearly three million yuan (439,000 U.S.dollars) in violation of the rules of the Communist Party of China (CPC), when he served as deputy editor-in-chief of the Yangcheng Evening News, which is based in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province,according to a statement issued by the Guangdong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC.

Zhang was also accused of breaching Party disciplines by gambling outside the Chinese mainland, said the statement.

The discipline commission started the investigation against Zhang on April 12.