On Tuesday, Robert Burgett, 63, was charged with theft by deception following an investigation by authorities. As the former finance director for the city of Homewood, it was no secret that there had been irregularities in the way the city handled its finances, Burgett served in that position for 13 years before retiring on March 31 of this year.

“When suspicious transactions were discovered, we promptly and appropriately notified authorities and took appropriate steps to freeze the questionable expenditures,” Homewood Mayor Patrick McCluskey said. according to To news reports.

According to local authorities, the Homewood Police Department Criminal Investigation Division launched the investigation with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Birmingham Field Office and the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.

On April 9, 2024, Homewood Police Detectives obtained an arrest warrant through the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for Robert Burgett, age 63, of Helena, on the Class A felony charge of Theft by Deception.

He was transported to the Jefferson County Jail where he is being held on $500,000 bail. Authorities say the case remains under investigation.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson