The conviction of Chen Xitong poses as many questions as it answers.
The 16-year jail term will go some way towards mollifying popular anger at the putative head of the Beijing 'mafia', the mastermind of perhaps the largest corruption ring in China since 1949.
However, the real circumstances behind the multifarious crimes committed by Chen and his cronies in the Beijing municipal machinery might never be known.
Chen, a former Politburo member, is believed to have colluded with a number of highly-placed cadres and their offspring, as well as well-connected businessmen.
The published verdict gave nothing away so far as the accomplices of the 'Beijing godfather' are concerned.
Indeed, the only name mentioned was Wang Baosen, Chen's former aide who committed suicide in April 1995.