Paul Michael Normington has pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court today to 17 charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Normington, 33, was facing charges under the Crimes Act and Secret Commissions Act of theft, dishonestly using a document and taking secret commissions. He was also facing a charge of accessing a computer system for dishonest purpose.
While working for his former employer, the Sutton Group (Sutton), he was involved in a number of transactions to defraud Sutton either by the creation of false invoices, theft of product or by receiving secret commissions from a supplier of product to Sutton.
Normington also copied electronic files from the Sutton server for his own benefit.
Last month, Normington's co-accused, Jin Weifeng also pleaded guilty to charges in relation to defrauding Sutton.
"This second guilty plea re-emphasises that focusing on early reporting of suspicious criminal activity can bring positive results," acting SFO Chief Executive, Simon McArley, said. "Although Mr Normington has defrauded his previous employer of financial and intellectual resource, early intervention has halted further losses."
Normington will reappear for sentencing on March 14.