After years of pursuing legal action against the former CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates for corruption and fraud, the district attorney’s office of Tulare County secured a sentence against Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi.

Healthcare Conglomerate oversaw Tulare Regional Medical Center — now Adventist Health Tulare — and South Inyo Hospital.

Tulare County Judge Michael Sheltzer on Thursday sentenced Benzeevi to two years’ probation, time served in custody, 600 hours of community service, and $2.4 million in restitution, all of which have been completed, according to a news release from the DA’s Office.

Of the restitution, $2 million went to Tulare Regional, $400,000 went to Southern Inyo.

The district attorney had sought one year in custody in addition to restitution and community service. Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said his office’s focus was to secure financial losses caused by Benzeevi, which he said has been met.

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“However, we cannot forget the human and extremely personal toll the defendant’s actions took on the community,” Ward said. “Though we advocated for time in custody, we respect the court’s decision today. We now look forward to focusing our efforts on the remaining defendant in this case.”

Healthcare Conglomerate attorney Bruce Greene will likely have his trial next year, according to a DA’s Office spokesman.He faces 16 charges including grand theft, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds.

Mismanagement, Corruption Contributed to Tulare Hospital’s Bankruptcy

Benzeevi in February pleaded no contest to six felonies and two misdemeanors related to financial corruption. Benzeevi’s mismanagement and corruption contributed in no small part to Tulare Regional’s bankruptcy in 2017. It took a full year before Adventist Health would reopen the hospital.

Correction: A previous version of the story said Adventist Health purchased Tulare Regional Medical Center. Adventist Health leases and operates it.

In 2020, the district attorney filed charges against Benzeevi, Greene, and CFO Alan Germany. Germany received a two-year probation sentence, 540 hours of community service, and $150,000 in restitution.

The three administrators made contracts between the hospital and companies they had financial interests in. They also used hospital money to pay for legal fees in lawsuits against doctors, including Benzeevi.