Robert Burgett, the former finance director of Homewood, has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $1 million from city accounts. The theft occurred between May 2023 and at least March 2024. Burgett, 64, admitted to misusing funds by transferring them to his personal account, labeled Burgett Builders Contemporary Enterprise, which was not an approved vendor for the city. He concealed his actions by altering bank statements and submitting them for reconciliation. The investigation began on April 3, 2024, after irregularities in the management of city funds were reported. Burgett was arrested and placed under GPS surveillance. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The plea deal includes three federal charges of wire fraud. Despite initially addressing the case in circuit court, Burgett opted to plead guilty in federal court. The city of Homewood has been working to recover the stolen funds and has been assisted by the FBI and Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.