In 2014, Tan was subject to a corruption investigation by the Communist Party's internal disciplinary body.
In September 1995, Tan was appointed the Communist Party Secretary of Pi County, a position he held until May 1998.
Southern Weekend reported that Tan would scream and cry at night due to dealing with too much stress.
[2] Tan later received a medal of distinction from the central authorities for "exemplary work during the rescue efforts of the Sichuan earthquake."
[2] In March 2009, Tan was elevated to lead the Communist Party's provincial propaganda department in Hainan province.
[5] On July 8, 2014, it was announced that Tan was undergoing investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Chinese Communist Party for "serious violations of laws and regulations",[6] in a case that was tied to the corruption investigation of Ji Wenlin, another provincial official in Hainan.
According to state media, Tan's offenses included accepting bribes, extramarital relationships, and engaging in "lavish meals, karaoke, and other expensive pastimes.
"[7] Both Tan Li and Ji Wenlin had at one point worked under then-Sichuan Party Secretary Zhou Yongkang.
[7] On October 13, 2016, Tan was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of bribery in Guangzhou People's Intermediate Court.