Kickbacks

Pleading guilty:

A former consultant to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has pleaded guilty to fraud, tax and obstruction of justice charges related to a $2 million kickback and embezzlement scheme.

Joseph DeRusso, of Florham Park, N.J., admitted in federal court in Manhattan on Friday that he took part in a plot that diverted $1 million in funds meant for food programs for parochial school children.

DeRusso also pleaded guilty to taking more than $1.2 million in kickbacks from vendors doing business with the church.