TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — The former CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) was convicted of felonies on Thursday, the Tulare County District Attorney said.

Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, 62, was convicted of public corruption-related crimes, according to court documents.

In February 2024, Benzeevi pleaded no contest to 6 felony and 2 misdemeanor charges listed below

• Issue 6 – Serious Criminal Conflict of Interest (contract regarding financing of the case against Dr. Betre)
• Count 10 – Felony Conflict of Interest (relating 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 (relating to HCCA loans and promissory notes to Tulare Hospital)
• Count 37 – Felony Conflict of Interest (related to Celtic loan transaction)
• Count 42 – Felony Conflict of Interest (relating to trust document filed against Tulare Hospital District)
• Issue 31 – Misdemeanor Failure to Disclosure Campaign Expenditures on Time
• Count 34 – Misdemeanor Using an Official Position for Personal Gain (Relating to refusing to recognize former hospital board member)

Benzeevi was sentenced to $2.4 million in restitution to Tulare Community Health Services ($2 million) and the Southern Inyo Health District ($400,000), all of which have been paid, the prosecutor says.

Benzeevi will also be required to serve two years of probation, according to the prosecutor, having already completed 600 hours of community service and served time in prison.

Prosecutor Tim Ward said that although the office requested a one-year probation sentence, they respected the court’s decision.

Although we defend the period of detention, we respect the court’s decisions today. We now look forward to focusing our efforts on the remaining defendant in this case,” Ward said.