Chinese state media say a former police chief who revealed details of a major Communist Party scandal has been charged with attempted defection, abuse of power and taking bribes.

State media reported the charges against Wang Lijun on Wednesday without providing further details. Wang was serving as the public security chief of the central city of Chongqing when he fled to the U.S. consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu in February to inform U.S. diplomats about a murder scandal involving the wife of his powerful boss, Bo Xilai.

The revelation prompted China's leadership to remove Bo as party chief of Chongqing and put his wife Gu Kailai on trial on charges of murdering a British businessman last year. A Chinese court convicted her of the charge last month and sentenced her to death with a two-year reprieve, likely sparing her from execution.

The scandal embarrassed the ruling Communist Party as it prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership transition later this year.