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

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

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

• Conflict of interest 6 – Conflict of interest (Contract related to the funding process against Dr. Betre)
• Count 10 – Felony Conflict of Interest (Relating to Tulare / Southern Inyo Line of Credit)
• Conflict 18 – Crime Conflict of Interest (Relating to Dr. Benzeevi’s Loans to Southern Inyo)
• Conflict of Interest 20 – Conflict of Interest (Relating to HCCA Loans and Promissory Notes to Tulare Hospital)
• Conflict of interest 37 – Conflict of interest (Relating to the Celtic leasing transaction)
• Conflict of Interest 42 – Crime Conflict of Interest (Relating to Deed of Trust Filed Against Tulare Hospital District)
• Number 31 – Failure to timely disclose campaign expenditures
• Number 34 – Crime of using an official position for personal gain (related to the refusal to recognize the former member of the board of directors of the hospital)

Prosecutors say Benzeevi was ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution to Tulare Local Healthcare ($2 million) and Southern Inyo Healthcare District ($400,000), all of which was paid in full.

Benzeevi will also have to serve two years of probation, he has already completed 600 hours of community service and served time, according to the DA.

Prosecutor Tim Ward said that while the office supported a one-year prison sentence, it respected the court’s decision.

Although we pleaded for time in custody, we respect today’s court decisions. We now look forward to focusing our efforts on the remaining defendant in this case, Ward said.