Di Fei, the former chief investment officer at the China operations of WPP Media has received a life sentence after being convicted earlier this year for his part in a bribery/kickback scandal that Chinese authorities began investigating in 2023.  

According to Bloomberg, who reported the news in late June, Fei is appealing the sentence. Several other employees were also convicted and received lighter sentences.  

The alleged scandal took place back when WPP Media was still known as GroupM. The employees involved allegedly placed a total of $176 million in media investments in return for off-the-books payments.   

At the time WPP issued a statement noting that it was cooperating fully with the authorities and that the company itself was not being investigated.  

Early on in the probe then GroupM China CEO Patrick Xu was reportedly questioned by police but not detained. Xu was also WPP’s country manager for China. He left the firm in 2024, amid fallout from the scandal. 

A WPP Media spokesperson issued a statement: “We are aware of the court’s sentencing of former employees in Shanghai earlier this year. Although not a party to the proceedings, we have cooperated fully with the relevant authorities throughout the process and respect the court’s decision.”