The Benjamin Nursing Home: A Year of Trouble and New Allegations
The Benjamin Nursing Home: A Year of Trouble and New Allegations
Benjamin Healthcare Center is a nursing and rehabilitation facility located in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1927, it has historically served the Black community and provides care for elderly residents and patients in need of rehabilitation services.
The Benjamin Healthcare Center has been at the center of controversy for nearly a year. Once on the verge of shutting down, the nursing home was placed under court-appointed receivership in an effort to stabilize its finances and continue serving its community. However, instead of improvement, new allegations of mismanagement, financial troubles, and conflicts among leadership have emerged.
A Fresh Start Gone Wrong
In April 2023, Joseph Feaster was appointed as the receiver to help rescue the Benjamin Nursing Home from closure. The facility, which provides care for elderly and rehabilitative patients, had been struggling financially. The court-approved receivership was meant to turn things around, but one year later, the situation appears just as chaotic as before.
Leadership Conflicts and Allegations of Mismanagement
The current administrator, Delicia Mark, has accused Feaster and his assistant, former state Senator Dianne Wilkerson, of poor decision-making, intimidation, and hiring practices that lack transparency. Mark claims that she has faced mistreatment for questioning financial and staffing decisions made by the receiver. She raised her concerns in a letter to the judge, prompting further legal scrutiny.
Adding to the controversy, a second letter, allegedly written by anonymous staff members, accused Wilkerson of hiring family members and awarding contracts without going through the correct process. This includes hiring a snow removal company which is tied to Wilkerson’s family. They allegedly received a contract without a proper bidding process, which may indicate favoritism and improper use of funds.
These allegations have only deepened concerns about how the nursing home is being managed.
Money Troubles Once Again
One of the most pressing issues is the nursing home’s financial instability. Feaster claims that earlier this month (March of 2025), he had to personally cover a $50,000 shortfall because payroll was nearly missed. However, Mark disputes this, stating that funds were already on the way and that Feaster’s intervention was unnecessary.
The Judge Steps In
Judge Christopher Belezos, overseeing the case, has expressed serious concerns. After receiving both Mark’s letter and the anonymous staff complaint, he stated that the nursing home appears to be in an “emergency situation” once again. He has now ordered a full financial review to track where the money is going.
Additionally, Feaster has been attempting to recover lost funds by suing the facility’s former director, Tony Francis, and hiring a forensic accountant. However, the judge has temporarily halted spending on legal fees and audits. He is questioning whether state funds should be used for this purpose.
Who’s Really in Charge?
Dianne Wilkerson’s involvement in the nursing home has raised eyebrows. Once a Massachusetts state senator, Wilkerson has a history of legal troubles, including tax fraud and bribery convictions. While she has since rebranded herself as a community activist, her role at the Benjamin Healthcare Center is now under scrutiny.
What’s Next?
With so many conflicting claims and financial uncertainties, the future of the Benjamin Nursing Home remains unclear. Judge Belezos has ordered a closer examination of financial records and has stopped any additional legal spending. Meanwhile, state officials continue to monitor the situation, to ensure that there is no misuse of public funds.
For now, the Benjamin Healthcare Center is at a crossroads. The facility is caught between a court-appointed effort to save it and mounting allegations of mismanagement that threaten to pull it under once again. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the nursing home can recover or if it will face yet another crisis.
Other Massachusetts Nursing Homes
Massachusetts has many other nursing homes facing similar challenges, including financial struggles, staffing issues, and concerns about resident care. The situation at the Benjamin Healthcare Center is not unique. Numerous facilities across the state have citations for poor management, understaffing, and even neglect or abuse. Some nursing homes are dealing with funding shortages, while others have accusations of misusing state resources or failing to provide proper care for residents. For more information on nursing homes with potential concerns the CMS has a list of homes on the SFF list. Being on the SFF list simply means that a facility has failed certain inspection criteria and are lacking the quality of care that residents deserve. Families with loved ones in these particular facilities must stay informed and take action if they suspect any wrongdoing. Holding nursing homes accountable is essential to ensuring that residents receive the safe, respectful, and high-quality care they deserve.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
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Our attorneys work tirelessly to investigate claims, uncover the truth, and pursue the compensation victims deserve. At KBD Attorneys, we truly care about people, and we are passionate about ensuring that those responsible for nursing home abuse are taking accountability for their actions. If you or a loved one has experienced neglect or mistreatment in a nursing home, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more.