BOSTON — The former Boston nursing home boss and his employees are accused of embezzling $3 million, according to a newly filed lawsuit in Suffolk County Superior Court. The claim is centered around Tony Francis, a former manager of the Edgar P. Benjamin Healthcare Center in Mission Hill, and was dismissed last year when the court was ordered to set up recipients.
The 25 survey first reported on Francis' departure and the economic issues of nursing homes. The new lawsuit alleges that Francis diverted the funds for personal expenses, including top-notch, non-business travel to Europe, and designer suits, spa services, cryptocurrency and even lingerie.
In December 2024, 25 surveys reported that the previous administration of historic nursing homes left $772,000.00 on unpaid bills.
Francis is said to have provided a $700,000 bonus using the Covid-19 relief fund from the Paycheck Protection Program. Joseph Feaster, a court-appointed temporary receiver overseeing the facility, played a key role in uncovering the suspicious fraud.
“We're talking about misappropriation of federal and state dollars,” Feaster said. He confirmed that the findings were provided to the authorities in September 2024.
He describes some of the complaints as sleazy.
“For example, if you fly abroad and fly first class and buy two seats, someone isn't sitting next to you, so you buy two seats. In an interview with investigator Ted Daniel, when someone is paying more vacation than the contract had.”
The lawsuit further alleges that the former director of pay and former bookkeepers conspired with Francis to receive unearned wages. Feaster has worked to stabilize the Benjamin Healthcare Center and address its substantial debt.
Attempts to contact Tony Francis by email for comment have been unsuccessful.
The allegations raised the possibility of criminal charges, but Feaster refused to comment specifically on that aspect, saying, “Potential. That's something I can't speak for.”
Feaster said it plans to update the court in April on Benjamin's financial situation.
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