Federal Probe May Loom Over Alabama AG Marshall's Office, Ethics Chief, and Regions Bank

A far-reaching scandal involving Alabama’s top ethics official, a major financial institution, and Attorney General Steve Marshall continues to cast a long shadow over the state’s legal and political establishment. At the center of the controversy is the Mabel Amos Memorial Trust — a fund intended to help financially needy Alabama students — which instead became a vehicle for self-dealing by those entrusted to oversee it.

Self-Dealing in the Name of Ethics

Tom Albritton, Executive Director of the Alabama Ethics Commission, served for years as a board member of the Mabel Amos Memorial Trust. During his time in that role, Albritton’s own children reportedly received over $130,000 in scholarships from the trust — despite clear stipulations that funds were meant for students with financial need. Other board members and trust insiders also allegedly awarded scholarships to their own children and associates.

Attorney General Steve Marshall eventually accused Albritton of "prohibited self-dealing" and sought to name him as a defendant in a civil lawsuit related to the trust. But critics say Marshall stopped short of taking any real prosecutorial action, even as more details emerged about mismanagement, favoritism, and deeply questionable ethics.

Regions Bank: Trustee or Enabler?

Regions Bank, which serves as the trustee of the Mabel Amos Memorial Trust, also came under fire for its role in the scandal. After oil was discovered on land owned by the trust in 2010, the fund’s value surged — and so did Regions’ administrative fees, reportedly jumping from less than $8,000 per year to over $90,000. Meanwhile, questionable scholarship disbursements continued unchecked.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin appointed a certified public accountant to audit the trust’s finances, a move later upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court, which cited “self-dealing” and “gross mismanagement” by both Regions Bank and the board.

A Quiet Deal and Double Standards

Rumors have swirled that the Attorney General’s Office offered a quiet deal: if the misused funds were fully paid back, no criminal charges would be filed. If true, this approach would stand in stark contrast to the AG’s aggressive prosecution of other public officials — including those charged with far smaller infractions, such as driving a state vehicle for personal errands or misusing office resources.

In this case, hundreds of thousands of dollars were allegedly misused by high-ranking officials, yet no one has been criminally charged. The glaring double standard has drawn outrage from watchdogs and citizens alike.

Federal Probe and Political Fallout

While some believe the investigation has quietly concluded, a cloud still hangs over the Attorney General’s Office, the Ethics Commission, and Regions Bank. A confidential source close to the situation within the State Government told ALPolitics.com that a federal probe continues and quietly complicates Steve Marshall’s political future, particularly his potential run for the U.S. Senate. It also complicates other potential candidates for office within the AG's Office, such as Katherine Robertson, Chief Counsel, who may run for Attorney General.

The presence of Tom Albritton’s brother in the Attorney General’s Office has raised ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest. Meanwhile, Marshall’s legal team has fought efforts to install a special master in the civil proceedings — efforts many see as attempts to limit independent oversight.

Rumors of a federal investigation have circulated throughout Montgomery, prompting ALPolitics.com to reach out directly to federal authorities for confirmation. As of press time, there has been no response. While not definitive, the lack of comment is often viewed by insiders as a sign that an inquiry may be ongoing.

An Ethical Crisis Unresolved

The Mabel Amos Trust scandal is more than a story of misused scholarships — it’s a damning indictment of Alabama’s political and ethical leadership. A fund created to help disadvantaged students was turned into a personal piggy bank by those charged with protecting it. Despite the scale of misconduct, political connections appear to have shielded the most powerful players from real accountability.

With the civil suit still unfolding and a federal probe quietly looming in the background, Alabama’s top legal officials may not be out of the woods just yet.