Hoover, Ala. – Former Mayor Frank Brocata on Monday refuted accusations that he failed to disclose a draft report on significant IT vulnerabilities in the city’s computer systems. In a written statement, Brocata detailed how he shared the preliminary Kroll assessment with the incoming mayor’s team and council members before the transition was complete.

Timeline of disclosures

Brocata explained that when financial and IT concerns surfaced, he promptly informed then‑Police Chief Nick Derzis and the City Council. He noted that CFO Jennifer Cornett met individually with council members to discuss the Kroll findings, and that both Cornett and Treasurer Robert Yeager delivered a thumb‑drive copy of the draft to Derzis and transition representative Michael Davis in September or October 2025, prior to Derzis taking office.

According to Brocata, on November 10, 2025 – during the first month of the Derzis administration – incoming City Attorney Charlie Waldrop received the same Kroll draft from the former city attorney. Brocata emphasized that Derzis, as police chief, had been personally involved in the original investigation and therefore had access to the documents before the transition.

Nature of the Kroll assessment

The former mayor clarified that Kroll never issued a final written IT assessment; the city only received a preliminary draft outlining operational, management and cybersecurity concerns. He stressed that the draft’s distribution was limited to protect the city’s systems from potential cyber‑criminal exploitation, in line with guidance from the Alabama Attorney General’s office.

“Kroll’s findings concerned operational and management deficiencies, not a failure to fund IT equipment,” Brocata said. “City IT personnel addressed the identified concerns, and corrective actions were implemented or initiated before I left office.”

Financial stewardship and city resilience

Brocata also highlighted the city’s fiscal health during his tenure. He claimed that Hoover’s reserves grew from roughly $30 million to nearly $90 million and that an independent financial audit of his final fiscal year received an unmodified opinion – the highest audit rating. He added that the city continued to invest in public safety, infrastructure, education and other services that benefit residents.

He pointed to a “perfect storm” of personal tragedies within the accounting department, including the death of a key employee and the loss of a child of another employee, which coincided with the rollout of a new 25‑year‑old financial‑management software system. Despite these challenges, Brocata said the forensic review identified weaknesses but also led to corrective actions.

Call for civility

In closing, Brocata expressed a desire for a more collegial approach, noting that a simple phone call between longtime friends could have resolved many of the issues without public accusations. He reiterated his pride in serving Hoover for over five decades, including 42 years as a firefighter and paramedic and nine years as mayor, and wished the current administration success in continuing to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Mayor Nick Derzis and council members have not yet responded to Brocata’s statement.

Original reporting: Hoover Sun — read the source article.