Mountain Brook Homebuilder Sentenced To 41 Months In Prison

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Mountain Brook resident Jeffrey Rusert was sentenced Tuesday to 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $1 million from clients.

Rusert, 52, pleaded guilty in June to wire fraud in the embezzlement of more than $1.3 million, according to a release by North District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

According to the charges filed against Rusert earlier this year, Rusert embezzled $1.3 million from his customers as the owner and President of Southern Craftsman Custom Homes, Inc.

"Southern Craftsman was engaged in the business of residential homebuilding," the statement by the United States Department of Justice said. "Between 2016 and 2018, Rusert engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain money from at least sixteen known individuals and/or families. Rusert solicited individuals and families to sign a contract and pay money to Southern Craftsman for the construction of a custom home."

According to the charges, Rusert accepted the checks and down payments from numerous individuals and families and fraudulently used the proceeds on unrelated construction projects, outstanding debt, and personal expenses.

"Rusert abused the responsibility entrusted to him by those wanting the American dream of owning their own home, but now he will pay the price for stealing $1.3 million," Town said. "He chose to feed his own greed and lifestyle. He will now feed on federal prison food for the next 41 months."

"Rusert’s desire to have more than he honestly worked for drove him to steal the hard earned money of others," Sharp said. "Today, this sentence ensures that he pays the price for his greed."