Ex-Home Depot merchant charged in kickback scheme

ATLANTA James Robinson of Atlanta has been charged with two counts of income tax evasion and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud against Home Depot, relating to a kickback scheme involving overseas vendors.

According to U.S. Attorney David Nahmias, Robinson, a former divisional merchandise manager for flooring for Home Depot, is the second person to be charged for taking secret payoffs from the retailer's foreign suppliers and then not reporting or paying taxes on the income.

"Vendor kickbacks to corporate employees corrupt the honest operations of American businesses, and those who pay, receive, or solicit such payoffs may face federal prosecution," said Nahmias.

Robinson's alleged role in the kickback scheme involved him arranging for Home Depot to purchase items for resale on less than the best terms to the company, according to Nahmias. Robinson left Home Depot in July 2007.