Guilty Plea in Tulare Hospital Case
Today in Department 4 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, judge Michael Sheltzer presiding, former Healthcare Conglomerate Associates CEO Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, age 61, 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
County 34 – Misdemeanor Using an Official Position for Personal Gain (Related to refusal to recognize former hospital board member)
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2024.
Statement by District Attorney Tim Ward
What began over seven years with a grass roots effort of citizen activism by the residents of Tulare became a complex criminal case. Today, this defendant stands convicted of six felony counts reflective of each incident perpetrated by him on the Tulare Regional Medical Center and the Southern Inyo Hospital, as well as two misdemeanor counts related to campaign violations surrounding the election and seating of a hospital board member.
As I have often said, truth in sentencing is critical for victims and the community. We have requested a year in custody, and we will respect the Judge’s decision at the time of sentencing just as we did with the previous sentencing of co-defendant Alan Germany.
The bedrock of this conviction is payment of restitution amounting to $2.4 million. A major goal was to do everything we could to financially restore the losses caused by the defendant while having the defendant admit responsibility.
Healthcare is truly a basic quality of life issue and the rural health care system in California is fragile. I view the Tulare Regional Medical Center as a vulnerable victim, and I am pleased the hospital and the citizens of Tulare have persevered to arrive at this significant day.
Moving forward our efforts and resources will be focused on the remaining defendant in a combined quest for justice for these victims.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494