Court Rules That All Charges Remain in Tulare Hospital Case
On November 16, 2021, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Michael Sheltzer ruled against a demurrer filed by former Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCAA) executives Benny Benzeevi, Alan Germany, and HCAA counsel Bruce Greene. The demurrer proceedings by the defendants sought to dismiss criminal charges regarding alleged public corruption related to the administration of healthcare facilities in Tulare and Inyo counties. The hearing took place in Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior Court on October 20, 2021.
In August 2020, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office filed 40 felony and six misdemeanor charges of varying scope between defendants. The crimes are alleged to have been committed from 2015 to 2017. It is alleged that the defendants used their control of public hospital entities to engage in government contracts in which they had a prohibited conflict of interest, to misuse public funds for their private interest, and to enrich themselves by defrauding both public entities and private lenders. Crimes alleged include misappropriation of government funds, conflicts of interest, money laundering, embezzlement, theft, and failure to disclose funds intended to influence a political campaign. The defendants each face prison terms if convicted.
The defendants are expected to be arraigned in January.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494