TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — A former financial officer at a Tuscaloosa nursing home has been arrested on felony theft charges after allegedly stealing more than $3,500 from vulnerable residents over a period spanning nearly three years, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Tameko H. Green, 52, of Tuscaloosa, was charged with one count of first-degree Theft of Property, a Class B felony, following an investigation by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as reported by multiple news outlets. Green surrendered to authorities at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on February 23, 2026, and was released on $5,000 bond.
Details of the Alleged Theft
Green had worked at the unnamed nursing home facility for 18 years in the role of financial officer, according to the Attorney General's announcement. In that position, she was responsible for managing the facility's patient trust fund, an account designated for residents' personal daily needs and expenses.
The investigation revealed that between January 2023 and September 2025, Green allegedly misappropriated at least $3,500 from 25 different residents, as reported by WBRC Fox 6. The case came to light after the Alabama Department of Public Health referred the matter to the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for investigation.
If convicted, Green faces between 2 and 20 years in prison and fines of up to $30,000, according to Alabama law governing Class B felonies.
Vulnerability of Nursing Home Residents
Patient trust funds serve a critical function in nursing home operations, allowing residents to pay for personal items, activities, and services not covered by insurance or facility fees. Federal regulations require nursing homes to safeguard these funds and provide detailed accounting to residents and their families.
The alleged theft underscores the vulnerability of nursing home residents, many of whom rely on facility staff to manage their financial affairs due to cognitive impairment or physical limitations. Financial exploitation of elderly individuals represents one of the most common forms of elder abuse, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.
The 18-year employment period suggests a long-standing position of trust that Green allegedly violated, making the residents particularly vulnerable to the alleged theft scheme.
Investigation and Prosecution
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, a division of the Alabama Attorney General's Office, conducted the investigation, according to the announcement. The unit receives 75 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, which totaled $1.14 million for fiscal year 2025, as reported by ABC 33/40.
Medicaid Fraud Control Units operate in all 50 states and are responsible for investigating and prosecuting fraud in the Medicaid program as well as patient abuse and neglect in healthcare facilities. These units also handle cases involving theft from residents of long-term care facilities.
The Alabama Department of Public Health's referral of the case demonstrates the coordinated oversight system designed to protect nursing home residents from financial exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Protecting Nursing Home Residents from Financial Abuse
Family members and advocates can take several steps to protect nursing home residents from financial exploitation:
- Request detailed monthly statements of all patient trust fund transactions - Monitor accounts regularly for unauthorized withdrawals or suspicious activity - Designate a trusted family member or representative payee when possible - Report concerns immediately to facility administrators and state authorities - Consider limiting the amount of money kept in facility-managed accounts
Federal law requires nursing homes to provide residents or their representatives with quarterly statements of patient trust fund accounts and to maintain detailed records of all transactions.
Resources for Families
Families who suspect financial exploitation or other forms of abuse at a nursing home should contact:
Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman Phone: 1-800-677-1116
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center Phone: 1-800-677-1116 Website: https://ltcombudsman.org
Alabama Department of Public Health Complaints regarding nursing home operations can be filed with the state health department, which conducts inspections and investigations.
Residents and families also have the right to file complaints with law enforcement if they believe criminal activity has occurred. Financial crimes against vulnerable adults often carry enhanced penalties under state law.
The case against Green remains pending, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The nursing home facility has not been publicly identified in official announcements or media reports.
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