THEODORE, Ala. — A Theodore woman is facing two felony theft charges accusing her of taking more than $10,000 from a neighborhood homeowners association, in part by diverting checks meant for the association into her own bank accounts.
Eileen Dorothy Bruette, 51, turned herself in to Mobile County Metro Jail on Sunday, Sept. 27, on two counts of first-degree theft by deception, according to court records.
What the complaints allege
The charges stem from two criminal complaints involving the Belmont Lakes Estates Homeowners Association.
- First complaint: Alleges Bruette knowingly obtained $6,429.76 belonging to the association between March 7 and Oct. 18, 2023, intending to deprive the association of the money.
- Second complaint: Alleges she obtained another $4,350 from the association between Oct. 18, 2023, and April 15, 2024. This complaint alleges she diverted checks intended for the homeowners association into personal checking and savings accounts.
Together, the two complaints accuse Bruette of taking $10,779.76 over a period of about 13 months.
The complaints do not publicly detail what role, if any, Bruette held with the association during that time. Bruette is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, and it was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney who could comment on her behalf.
Case at a glance
- Accused: Eileen Dorothy Bruette, 51, of Theodore
- Charges: Two counts of first-degree theft by deception
- Alleged victim: Belmont Lakes Estates Homeowners Association
- Total amount alleged: $10,779.76
- Time frame: March 7, 2023, through April 15, 2024
- Booking: Turned herself in to Mobile County Metro Jail on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
What first-degree theft by deception means in Alabama
Under Alabama law, theft of property can be committed by knowingly obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over someone else’s property, or by obtaining control through deception, with the intent to deprive the owner of it. The degree of the charge depends largely on the value of the property involved.
Theft of property valued at more than $2,500 is theft in the first degree, a Class B felony in Alabama. A Class B felony carries a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison and fines, though actual sentences depend on many factors, including a defendant’s criminal history and any plea agreement. Courts can also order restitution, requiring a defendant who is convicted to repay the victim.
Each of the two complaints against Bruette involves an amount above the $2,500 threshold, which is why each is charged as a separate first-degree count.
How HOA money can go missing
Homeowners associations collect dues and fees from residents to pay for shared expenses such as landscaping, common-area maintenance, streetlights, pools, insurance and legal costs. In many smaller neighborhoods, the job of handling that money falls to a small group of volunteers who serve on the board or act as treasurer.
Financial experts and community association groups say that arrangement can leave associations vulnerable when there are few checks on who handles deposits and payments. Common warning signs include:
- Bank statements that are not shared with other board members or residents
- A single person who both collects dues and reconciles the accounts
- Delays in paying vendors or unexplained shortfalls in reserve funds
- Checks made out to the association that are never deposited in the association’s account
Steps associations can take
Groups that advise community associations generally recommend safeguards such as requiring two signatures on checks, separating the duties of collecting and reconciling money, sharing monthly bank statements with the full board, conducting an annual review or audit by an outside accountant, and carrying fidelity or crime insurance that can reimburse the association if funds are stolen.
Residents who have questions about their association’s finances can typically request financial records under their association’s governing documents.
About Theodore
Theodore is an unincorporated community in south Mobile County, located southwest of the city of Mobile along the U.S. Highway 90 corridor. It is home to many residential subdivisions, several of which are governed by homeowners associations that manage shared amenities and neighborhood standards.
What happens next
Bruette’s case will proceed through the Mobile County court system. Felony cases in Alabama typically move from an initial appearance and bond setting in district court to a preliminary hearing or grand jury review before any trial in circuit court.
No court dates had been publicly announced as of Monday. This article will be updated as the case moves forward.