Key Points :
Tony Francis, former CEO of Edgar P. Benjamin Health Center, pleaded guilty to misusing funds.
He diverted over $190,000 from the Boston-based non-profit nursing home.
Nearly $160,000 in federal EIDL funds was used for a personal real estate investment.
The facility also paid his $100,000 personal loan without board approval.
Funds were transferred from the organization’s line of credit to his personal account.
The nursing home faced serious financial shortages in 2023–2024.
A court-appointed receiver took control in April 2024.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2026 in federal court.
Boston: A former chief executive officer of a Boston-based non-profit nursing home has pleaded guilty in federal court to misusing organizational funds for personal expenses and investments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced.
Tony Francis, 59, of Needham, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026, to two counts of intentional misapplication of money from a program receiving federal funds. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2026.
Francis previously served as the CEO of the Edgar P. Benjamin Health Center (EPBHC), a non-profit organization that operates Benjamin Healthcare, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. A former chief executive officer of a Boston-based non-profit nursing home has pleaded guilty in federal court to misusing organizational funds for personal expenses and investments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced.
According to court documents, Francis abused his position of trust at the organization by diverting funds meant for the non-profit’s operations.
In 2020, Francis used nearly $160,000 from an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) issued to EPBHC by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Prosecutors said he used the funds as a deposit toward a personal real estate investment, rather than for the organization’s operational needs.
The EIDL program was designed to provide financial relief to businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorities said Francis also caused the nursing home to make payments toward his $100,000 personal loan during 2023 and 2024. These payments included principal, interest, and late fees.
The payments were made without approval from the EPBHC Board of Directors, which was required before such financial transactions could occur.
Between 2022 and 2024, Francis also drew funds from an EPBHC line of credit and transferred the money into his personal checking account. Prosecutors said he used the funds to cover personal expenses including mortgage payments and credit card bills.
The total amount of funds misappropriated exceeded $190,000, although authorities said Francis later repaid most of the money to the organization.
The misuse of funds occurred while the organization was experiencing serious financial difficulties.
By 2023 and 2024, EPBHC faced significant financial deficiencies, including cash shortages and challenges meeting payroll obligations.
In response to the worsening financial situation, the Massachusetts Superior Court appointed a receiver in April 2024 to oversee and stabilize the operations of the nursing home.
The charge of intentional misapplication of funds from a federally funded program carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved, whichever is greater.
The final sentence will be determined by the court based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. The investigation was led by Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office.
Officials from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of the Criminal Division, along with Assistant Attorney General Kevin Lownds, who was sworn in as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the matter.
Reference:
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. “Former CEO of Non-Profit Nursing Home Pleads Guilty to Misapplication of Property.” U.S. Department of Justice. February 27, 2026. Former CEO of Non‑Profit Nursing Home Pleads Guilty to Misapplication of Property.
