TUSCALOOSA, AL — A former financial officer at a Tuscaloosa nursing home faces felony charges after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from vulnerable residents over a nearly three-year period, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Tameko H. Green, 52, of Tuscaloosa, was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree theft of property on February 23, 2026, as reported by multiple Alabama news outlets. Green surrendered at the Tuscaloosa County Jail and was subsequently released on $5,000 bond, according to WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham.
Green served as a financial officer at an unnamed Tuscaloosa nursing facility for 18 years, according to the Attorney General's announcement. In that role, she was responsible for managing the facility's patient trust fund, an account designated to hold and disburse residents' personal money for daily needs and personal expenses.
Between January 2023 and September 2025, Green allegedly misappropriated at least $3,500 from the accounts of 25 different nursing home residents, as reported by ABC 33/40. The investigation was conducted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Alabama Attorney General's Office, following a referral from the Alabama Department of Public Health, according to The Tuscaloosa Thread.
First-degree theft of property is classified as a Class B felony under Alabama law. If convicted, Green faces a potential sentence ranging from two to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $30,000, according to Patch.
Patient trust funds are federally regulated accounts that nursing homes must maintain to safeguard residents' personal funds. Federal regulations require facilities to manage these accounts with full accountability, provide residents with quarterly statements, and maintain detailed transaction records. The alleged theft represents a violation of the fiduciary duty owed to some of society's most vulnerable individuals.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about financial exploitation of nursing home residents. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse reported in long-term care settings, often perpetrated by those in positions of trust with access to residents' personal information and financial resources.
Investigation and Prosecution
The Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which conducted the investigation, operates with a $1.14 million annual budget for fiscal year 2025, according to ABC 33/40. Approximately 75 percent of that funding comes from federal grants provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
State Medicaid Fraud Control Units investigate and prosecute cases involving Medicaid fraud, as well as patient abuse and neglect in healthcare facilities. These units also handle cases of financial exploitation of residents in facilities that receive Medicaid funding.
The Attorney General's office has not disclosed the name of the nursing facility where Green was employed, and it remains unclear whether the facility has faced any regulatory consequences related to oversight of its patient trust fund operations.
Protecting Nursing Home Residents' Finances
Federal regulations mandate strict controls over patient trust funds at Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities. Facilities must deposit any resident funds exceeding $50 into interest-bearing accounts, maintain complete records of all transactions, and provide residents or their representatives with quarterly financial statements.
Nursing homes are prohibited from commingling patient trust funds with facility operating accounts. They must also purchase surety bonds or establish other security measures to protect resident funds from loss or misappropriation.
Family members and representatives of nursing home residents should regularly review financial statements, verify that funds are being used appropriately, and report any discrepancies immediately to facility administrators and state oversight agencies.
Resources for Families
Families concerned about financial exploitation or other forms of abuse in nursing homes can contact the following resources:
Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serves as an advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The ombudsman can investigate complaints, provide information about resident rights, and help resolve concerns.
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: 1-800-677-1116
Suspected financial crimes against nursing home residents should be reported to local law enforcement and the Alabama Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Alabama Department of Public Health also investigates complaints related to patient care and facility operations.
Family members who suspect financial exploitation should document all concerns, gather relevant financial records, and file complaints with multiple agencies to ensure thorough investigation. Early reporting can help prevent additional victims and preserve evidence for potential criminal prosecution.
The case against Green remains pending in the Alabama criminal justice system. As with all criminal defendants, Green is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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