Former HCCA CEO Sentenced for Felony Crimes
Today in Department 11 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, judge Michael Sheltzer presiding, the court sentenced former Healthcare Conglomerate Associates CEO Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, age 62, for crimes related to public corruption. On February 9, 2024, Benzeevi pleaded no contest to six felony counts and two misdemeanor counts found in the complaint:
Count 6 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Contract related to funding lawsuit against Dr. Betre)
Count 10 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Related to the Tulare / Southern Inyo line of credit)
Count 18 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Related to Dr. Benzeevi’s loans to Southern Inyo)
Count 20 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Related to HCCA loans and promissory notes to Tulare Hospital)
Count 37 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Related to Celtic leasing transaction)
Count 42 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Related to deed of trust filed against Tulare Hospital District)
Count 31 – Misdemeanor Failure to Timely Disclose Campaign Expenditures
Count 34 – Misdemeanor Using an Official Position for Personal Gain (Related to refusal to recognize former hospital board member)
The court sentenced Benzeevi to restitution of $2.4 million dollars, which has been paid in full to Tulare Local Healthcare District ($2 million) and Southern Inyo Healthcare District ($400,000), 2 years probation, time served in custody, and 600 hours of community service, which have been completed. The Office of the District Attorney argued for a one-year sentence in custody in addition to restitution and community service.
Statement by District Attorney Tim Ward
“As I stated at the time of the plea, our focus was to financially restore the losses caused by the defendant while having him admit his guilt. I believe that goal has been met – $2.4 million dollars in restitution has been returned to victims in Tulare and Inyo and the defendant is a convicted felon. However, we cannot forget the human and extremely personal toll the defendant’s actions took on the community,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “Though we advocated for time in custody, we respect the court’s decisions today. We now look forward to focusing our efforts on the remaining defendant in this case.”
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494