HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — The former finance director for the city of Homewood has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $1 million from the city.

Robert Burgett, 64, was sentenced to 37 months in prison during a court hearing Wednesday. Burgett, who served as finance director for Homewood for 13 years, pleaded guilty last August to wire fraud.

According to his plea agreement, Burgett stole $947,059.46 from the city between May 2023 and March 2024. Within days of his retirement from the city in March, police began investigating a suspicious movement of city funds. On April 9, 2024, Burgett was arrested.

“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,” a statement read. “Burgett also altered City bank account statements and made false journal entries in City accounting records. Burgett ultimately used the embezzled funds for personal purposes.”