The former CEO of the non-profit Edgar P. Benjamin Health Centre has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for charges arising from his improper use of EPBHC funds.

Tony Francis, 60, of Needham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court judge Indira Talwani to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

In February 2026, Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional misapplication of money from a program receiving federal funds.

Mr 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 neighbourhood of Boston.

In and around 2023 and 2024, EPBHC faced significant financial deficiencies, including a cash shortage and an 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 EPBHC funds.

Specifically, in 2020, Francis used close to $160,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds provided 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 the approval of the EPBHC Board of Directors.

Finally, at various times between 2022 and 2024, Francis drew on an EPBHC line of credit to transfer funds to his personal checking account so 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.

On March 26, 2026, United States attorney Leah Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.