David Cay Johnston joined The New York Times as a financial reporter in February 1995. He covers taxes and pensions.

Before joining The Times, Mr. Johnston reported for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1988 to 1995. He covered casinos as well as maritime and waterfront issues. He also served as assistant business editor at the Inquirer.

From 1976 to 1988, he served the Los Angeles Times covering national news. From 1973 to 1976, Mr. Johnston was an investigative reporter at The Detroit Free Press.

He began his journalism career at The San Jose Mercury News. He covered student radicals, black politics and development from 1968 to 1973.

Born in San Francisco on Dec. 24, 1948, Mr. Johnston studied economics and law at the University of Chicago. He also studied at Michigan State and San Francisco State University in 1972 and 1973 to 1975.

Mr. Johnston is married, has eight children and two grandchildren.