Former Home Depot Employee Admits Fraud

Atlanta A former employee of The Home Depot Inc. has pleaded guilty to taking bribes from foreign suppliers, the third to admit guilt in the scheme.

The U.S. attorney's office said Thursday that Ronald K. Johnston of Atlanta pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing a false tax return, underreporting a total of $186,000 income in 2005 and 2006.

Prosecutors said the associate took kickbacks from suppliers who sold items at higher prices than warranted. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said another ex-employee, Anthony Tesvich, received millions of dollars in bribes and passed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Johnston.

Tesvich pleaded guilty in June, and James P. Robinson pleaded guilty in July to related charges.