Hilbert coefficients and depth of fiber cones

Criteria are given in terms of certain Hilbert coefficients for the fiber cone F(I) of an image-primary ideal I in a Cohen–Macaulay local ring image so that it is Cohen–Macaulay or has depth at least dim(R)-1. A version of Hunekeʹs fundamental lemma is proved for fiber cones. Gotoʹs results concerning Cohen–Macaulay fiber cones of ideals with minimal multiplicity are obtained as consequences.