Robert Burgett, the former finance director of Homewood, Alabama, has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $950,000 from city funds. The investigation, which began in April 2024, revealed that Burgett misused city funds before his retirement on March 31, 2024. He was charged with a Class A felony for aggravated theft by deception and was arrested on April 9, 2024. The police and FBI were involved in the investigation, which uncovered irregularities in the movement of city funds.

Burgett, 63, had worked for the city for 13 years before his retirement. The investigation found that he had transferred city funds into a commercial bank account that he controlled. The total amount embezzled was approximately $950,000. The city of Homewood has taken steps to recover the misappropriated funds and is working to ensure fiscal responsibility in its financial practices.

The case highlights the importance of robust financial controls and regular audits to prevent such incidents. The city’s finance committee and full council have been reviewing credit card expenses and implementing measures to reduce the number of credit cards issued to employees. The investigation and subsequent guilty plea underscore the need for transparency and accountability in public finance management.