Attorneys are working to secure bond for the former City of Homewood finance director arrested earlier this week on a felony charge.
Robert Burgett, 63, is charged with aggravated theft by deception, which is a Class A felony.
Charging documents state Burgett stole more than $100,000 of city funds before his retirement March 31.
He was taken into custody about 10 a.m. Tuesday in Helena and booked into the Homewood City Jail. He then transferred to the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $500,000.
“At this point, we are simply trying to find a way to make the bond that was originally set at $500,000 cash,’’ according to a statement sent to AL.com by Burgett’s attorneys – Tommy Spina and Ben Preston. “It has now become cash or property as it should have been in the first place.”
“Mr. Burgett is not a flight risk and fully intends to be here to deal with the charges that have been filed against him in due course,’’ the attorneys said.
“A bond that you cannot make is he same as ‘no bond’ at all and not necessary in this instance,’’ they said. “We are grateful he will be allowed to make substantial property bond, as is customary in every other case of this nature.
Burgett remained in the county jail as of Thursday afternoon.
Police said the investigation began April 3 when they were made aware of irregularities in the movement of city funds by Burgett in the days leading up to his retirement. No additional details were released.
Burgett worked for the city for 13 years prior to his retirement.
Homewood police were assisted in the probe by the FBI and Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
“Allegations of the misuse of city funds are always disturbing,’’ said Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky following the announcement of Burgett’s arrest.
“When suspicious transactions were noticed, we quickly and appropriately notified authorities of what we found and took appropriate stops to freeze any questionable disbursements.”
“We will closely examine how the misappropriations occurred,’’ said Homewood City Council President Alex Wyatt. “We are making every effort to recover the funds that were part of any fraud that was committed.”