By james art The former CFO of a suburban Birmingham, Ala., city has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $1 million
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The former finance director of a city in the central Alabama suburb of Birmingham has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $1 million.
Robert Winston Burgett entered a plea Wednesday to three counts of wire fraud in federal court in Birmingham, al.com reported.
Burgett, 64, worked for the city of Homewood for 13 years until his retirement in March. Burgett used his position to embezzle about $950,000 between May 2023 and March 2024, according to federal documents.
He hid his behavior by moving city funds to a commercial bank account he controlled and then transferring the funds to his personal account, the news site said, citing the records. He also altered city bank account statements and made false journal entries in city records to cover up his actions, court records said.
“Today, Mr. Burgett publicly acknowledged and accepted full responsibility for his actions that led to the defrauding of the City of Homewood,” said defense attorney Tommy Spina. “He is deeply remorseful for the breach of trust he has caused the city, its employees and the residents he has served. He understands the seriousness of his actions and the impact they have had on the community.
US District Judge Anna Manasco scheduled sentencing for February 26 of next year.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama and Spina did not immediately respond to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment and additional information on possible sentencing ranges.
Burgett was arrested earlier this year in connection with the case.