On 11 December 2023, Li was put under investigation for alleged "serious violations of discipline and laws" by the
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the party's internal disciplinary body, and the
National Supervisory Commission, the highest anti-corruption agency of China. On 17 June 2024, Li was expelled from the CCP and dismissed from public office. On June 28, the
Supreme People's Procuratorate signed an arrest order for him for taking bribes. On December 11, he was indicted on suspicion of accepting bribes. On 9 January 2025, Li stood trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Baoji on charges of taking bribes, he allegedly took advantage of his position to benefit organizations on matters related to mineral development, enterprise management, and cadre appointment between 1999 and 2023, when he successively held different posts in Qinghai, in return, he accepted money and property worth over 822 million yuan ($115.4 million) either himself or via his family members. On April 22, he was sentenced to
death with a two-year reprieve for taking bribes, and was deprived of his political rights for life, and all his personal assets were confiscated. ==References==