Former China leader not implicated in aide's investigation, official says

Ling Jihua (L), newly elected vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), leaves during a plenary meeting of the 12th CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 11, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Lee

BEIJING (Reuters) - Retired Chinese President Hu Jintao is not being implicated in a corruption probe into a former top aide, a senior government spokesman said on Friday, adding that the official was being investigated more over financial issues than political ones.

Ling Jihua was demoted in September 2012 without explanation. Sources told Reuters that the move happened after his son was involved in a deadly crash involving a luxury sports car in Beijing.