COVINGTON, Ky - A Zimbabwean man in US has been convicted in federal court for his part in a scheme to purchase items from Staples for as cheap as a penny.

The U.S. attorney's office in Lexington said the scheme cost the company more than $118,000.

Paul Shumbayaonda, 33 of Ohio was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud Friday in Covington.

According to a statement from the U.S. attorney, he and two associates, Huyaimuzoona Bere and Bekizulu Mhlanga, defrauded Staples by taking advantage of Bere's position as an employee at its call center in Florence.

Prosecutors said Bere adjusted orders made by the other two men and added expensive items at a deep discount, from one cent to $19.99.

Bere and Mhlanga each pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in November.

Shumbayaonda faces a 20-year prison sentence when he is sentenced March 18.

By AP