The Benjamin Nursing Home Crisis Could Result in a $5 Million Loss

At KBD Attorneys, we’re committed to keeping families informed about what’s happening inside nursing homes—not just in Massachusetts, but across the country.

Now, we have new and deeply troubling updates regarding the Benjamin Nursing Home Crisis. Their problems are far from over.

A Year Later, and Still in Crisis

A year ago, The Benjamin was placed under court-appointed receivership to avoid closing its doors. The goal was simple. To stabilize the nursing home, fix the finances, and keep caring for the 80 elderly residents who call it home. Joseph Feaster, an attorney, was appointed as the court receiver in April 2023 to lead the turnaround. But rather than ushering in a new era of stability, the last twelve months have been riddled with further allegations of mismanagement, leadership conflicts, and worsening fiscal problems.

Benjamin Healthcare Center, located in the heart of Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood, has long been a cornerstone of the community. Established in 1927, the nonprofit facility has primarily served the Black community for generations, offering long-term care and rehabilitation services. But what was once a trusted institution is now the subject of serious legal and financial turmoil.

Today, the future of the facility is even more uncertain. According to Judge Christopher Belezos, who is now overseeing the case, The Benjamin could be facing a $5 million loss by the end of this year.

Despite emergency state funding and a year under new leadership, major issues persist—including allegations of mismanagement, infighting, and financial misuse.

A Facility with Deep Community Roots

The Benjamin Healthcare Center has cared for Boston’s Black community since 1927. It was never just a nursing home—it was a trusted pillar. A safe space. A place where families felt their loved ones would be treated with dignity.

Today, that trust is being tested.

New Allegations Shake the Facility

The court-appointed receiver, Joseph Feaster, has come under fire. So has his assistant, former State Senator Dianne Wilkerson.

Delicia Mark, the current administrator working under Feaster, has filed serious accusations. She says she faced retaliation and a hostile work environment for speaking up about decisions she believed were harming the facility. She claims Feaster suspended her unfairly after months of pushing back against questionable choices.

Anonymous staff letters sent to the court back up her claims. They accuse Wilkerson of hiring relatives and giving out contracts—like snow removal—without proper bidding.

These are not just workplace disagreements. They are red flags that point to deeper dysfunction and possibly misuse of funds meant to care for elderly residents.

Financial Instability Deepens

Recent updates reported by the CommonWealth Beacon and discussed in court reveal a growing financial crisis. According to Judge Belezos, the Benjamin Nursing Home is potentially facing a $5 million deficit by the end of 2025. The home is currently licensed for 164 beds but is only housing about 80 residents. The judge pointed out that simply filling more beds—30 at $8,000 to $10,000 per month—could significantly reduce the deficit.

Feaster claims to have covered a $50,000 payroll shortfall from his own funds in March 2025, though Mark disputes that claim, arguing the money was already en route.

Adding to the financial burden are $339,000 in accounting costs and over $300,000 in legal fees accrued since the receivership began. There are also unpaid bills from the previous administration. While state officials have funneled emergency funds to keep the facility operational, those funds will eventually need to be repaid.

Legal Issues and Leadership Conflicts

A civil lawsuit filed in March accuses the facility’s former administrator, Tony Francis, of siphoning off more than $3 million. Feaster says this legal action was made possible through the efforts of Wilkerson, who collected critical documentation for the case.

Feaster also defended his decision to suspend Mark, accusing her of mismanagement, excessive overtime spending, and inefficiency. He highlighted a February 2025 incident in which a resident reportedly left the premises unsupervised—a claim that Mark says was exaggerated. These disputes, both personal and professional, have only intensified the instability of the Benjamin Healthcare Center.

Judge Belezos has scheduled a court hearing for April 16 to address the growing list of allegations. He stressed the urgent need to determine whether the Benjamin is viable as a long-term care facility going forward, especially since questions remain about the property’s mortgage status and ownership rights.

The Big Picture: Are Our Elders Safe?

Judge Belezos is asking the same question. He’s ordered a deep financial review and frozen new legal spending. He wants to know: Where is the money going? Who is accountable? Can The Benjamin survive?

These are the right questions. Because at the heart of this case are real people—our parents, our grandparents—who deserve peace, care, and protection.

Massachusetts Nursing Homes: A Broader Problem

The Benjamin isn’t alone. Many other Massachusetts nursing homes are dealing with similar issues—staff shortages, unsafe conditions, and financial mismanagement.

Some of these facilities are on the Special Focus Facility (SFF) list maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Being on the SFF list means a facility has repeatedly failed inspections and shows ongoing problems with quality of care.

If your loved one is in one of these homes, you have rights—and options.

KBD Attorneys: Advocating for Families and Accountability

If your family member has experienced neglect, abuse, or suffered due to poor conditions in a nursing home, KBD Attorneys is here to help.

We offer free case evaluations, and we’ll tell you the truth about your legal options. We don’t back down from tough cases. And we don’t tolerate excuses when it comes to our elders’ safety.

Our firm has represented victims of:

• Bedsores and untreated wounds

• Medication errors

• Falls and broken bones

• Emotional or physical abuse

• Financial exploitation

• Wrongful death

Every resident deserves respect. Every family deserves answers.

At KBD Attorneys, we stand with individuals harmed by neglect, mismanagement, and abuse in nursing homes. We are passionate professionals, assertive advocates, and committed counselors. We litigate diligently, try cases to verdict strategically, and care for our clients compassionately.

Whether it’s the tragedy of bedsores, the horror of resident elopement, or the heartbreak of financial mismanagement by trusted caregivers, we are relentless in our pursuit of justice. We are nursing home abuse attorneys, product liability lawyers, medical device litigators, and personal injury trial attorneys. Our team is unstoppable, unyielding, and unmatched—with the perseverance to make it right.

When facilities like the Benjamin Nursing Home fail, they do more than violate regulations—they betray the trust of families and communities. And that’s when KBD steps in.

We don’t just litigate and try cases. We lead. We give back to the community. We publish, we speak, and we elevate the standards of legal advocacy.

If you or a loved one has experienced neglect or abuse in a nursing home, or if you suspect financial wrongdoing in a care facility, contact KBD Attorneys. Let us help you uncover the truth and pursue the justice your family deserves.

Take care of the client, and the rest will take care of itself.