Former state senator's sentencing for embezzlement delayed

PASCAGOULA -- Former state Sen. Tommy Robertson is a broken man, says his attorney and lifelong friend Jimmy Heidelberg.

Robertson was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in Circuit Court for embezzling $379,000 from construction loan proceeds he held in trust as board attorney for Singing River Federal Credit Union. A scheduling conflict delayed sentencing.

Robertson, who surrendered his law license after he was charged, is working in Texas. He had repaid $14,000 to $15,000 of the money by the time he pleaded guilty in December to one of five embezzlement charges originally filed against him. He is accused of embezzling a total of $484,000 of the loan money in April 2013.

Heidelberg said Robertson no longer owns a house or car. He voluntarily surrendered his law license and filed for bankruptcy. The credit union sued him for the money.

"He's about as broken down as a person can get," Heidelberg said. "It's a terrible fall from grace."

Robertson served as a state senator from 1992 through 2007, when he lost his re-election race in the Republican primary.

During his tenure, he was convicted three times on DUI charges -- in 1997, 2004 and 2008.

He has long fought an alcohol addiction, Heidelberg said, but is in a recovery program, regularly attends meetings and is staying sober.

Robertson faces up to 10 years in prison for embezzlement. No new court date was available.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Former state senator's sentencing for embezzlement delayed ."