The former finance director for the City of Homewoodpleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $950,000.
United States Attorney Prim Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples said Friday 64-year-oldRobert Winston Burgett was charged with three counts of wire fraud.
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According to the information and plea agreement, Burgett worked for the city between at least May 2023 and about March 2024.
During that time Burgett admitted to using that position to embezzle the money from the city’s bank accounts.
Authorities said Burgett concealed his conduct by first moving the city’s funds into a commercial bank account he controlled before transferring the funds into his personal account.
Authorities said Burgett also altered city bank account statements and made false journal entries in city accounting records. Authorities said Burgett ultimately used the embezzled funds for personal purposes.
The court will set a date for Burgett to enter his guilty plea.
The FBI and the Homewood Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
Last October, the ABC 33/40 News I-Team exposed questionable credit card spending by the city. Burgett at the time defended the city’s practices. Our report got the attention of state auditors who took a closer look at Homewood’s financial records. That led to the discovery of the embezzlement.
Homewood MayorPatrick McClusky provided the following statement after Burgett’s plea agreement.
The City of Homewood was made aware this afternoon that the FBI’s investigation into former finance director, Robert Burgett has resulted in Mr. Burgett pleading guilty to all of the charges against him. The City appreciates the work of the FBI, the US Attorney’s office, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, and the Homewood Police Department in investigating this incident swiftly and thoroughly since it was reported to them by the City of Homewood. The City will continue to work with each of those entities through any further investigation.
Burgett’s attorney Tommy Spina also provided a statement.
Mr. Burgett has from day one accepted responsibility for his actions and has expressed extreme remorse and contrition for his actions. He blames no one but himself. He gave up his right to have his case presented to a grand jury and signed a written plea agreement without wasting judicial resources to move the process forward expeditiously. Today’s public filing was simply the formalization of his admission of guilt.
