Tony Francis, Misapplication of Property, Massachusetts 2026

Former CEO of Non-Profit Nursing Home Sentenced for Misapplication of Property

BOSTON – Tony Francis, 60, of Needham, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for charges arising from his improper use of Edgar P. Benjamin Health Center (EPBHC) funds.

On February 2026, Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional misapplication of money from a program receiving federal funds. Francis was Administrator, President, and Chief Executive Officer of EPBHC, a non-profit entity that operated Benjamin Healthcare, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

In and around 2023 and 2024, EPBHC faced significant financial deficiencies that included a shortage of cash and inability to make payroll. In April 2024, the Massachusetts Superior Court ordered the appointment of a receiver to operate EPBHC.

Francis abused his position of trust with EPBHC by intentionally misapplying funds belonging to EPBHC. Specifically, in 2020, Francis used close to $160,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds, that had been provided to EPBHC by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as a deposit for a personal real estate investment. In addition, in 2023 and 2024, Francis arranged for EPBHC to make payments of principal, interest and late fees on a $100,000 personal loan without having approval of the EPBHC Board of Directors to do so. Finally, at various times between 2022 and 2024, Francis drew on an EPBHC line of credit to transfer funds to his own personal checking account so that he would have sufficient funds to pay his mortgage and personal credit card bills. In total, Francis misappropriated more than $190,000 from EPBHC, although Francis later returned most of these funds.

Tony Francis was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case along with Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Kevin Lownds, who was sworn in as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

The case against Tony Francis is a reminder of the importance of holding those in positions of trust accountable for their actions. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and ensure that those who commit crimes are brought to justice.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-ceo-non-profit-nursing-home-sentenced-misapplication-property