Ex-hospital CEO accused of funneling $14M for lavish lifestyle, son’s $109K Beverly Hills baptism
A Former Hospital Executive Accused of Embezzling $14 Million
A former hospital executive has been accused of siphoning at least $14 million from a health system and using company funds to support a lavish lifestyle, including a $109,000 Beverly Hills baptism celebration for his son, as detailed in a recent lawsuit.
Michael Sarian, the former CEO of Healthcare Systems of America, allegedly diverted millions of dollars from hospitals in Florida and other states into personal accounts and family trusts, among other unauthorized uses, while the facilities faced financial challenges in meeting their obligations.
The lawsuit, first reported by the Miami Herald, claims that Sarian treated company accounts as his personal piggy bank, funneling millions out of the health system between September 2024 and January 2026.
One of the most shocking allegations is the claim that over $109,000 was wired from a Healthcare Systems of America corporate account to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills for Sarian’s son’s baptism celebration.
The lawsuit also alleges that Sarian forged an employee’s signature or directed someone else to do so to divert another $120,000.
Sarian has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the baptism payment was an authorized repayment of money he previously advanced to help cover hospital payroll.
The legal battle is part of an ongoing dispute for control of a hospital network that operates several hospitals in Florida, including Palmetto General Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, and Hialeah Hospital.
The lawsuit alleges that Sarian’s transfers contributed to severe financial strain across the system, affecting its ability to meet payroll, pay vendors, and compensate physicians.
The lawsuit also claims that a significant amount of money intended to support hospital operations and acquisitions was transferred into Sarian’s personal accounts shortly after being received by Healthcare Systems of America.
Sarian has refuted the allegations and accused Faisal Gill, who now controls the Florida hospital system, of orchestrating a corporate takeover.
Gill, on the other hand, has denied these accusations and stated that the litigation aims to recover money rightfully belonging to the hospitals and ensure resources are directed towards patient care.
The ongoing legal dispute follows a previous court battle where new management alleged Sarian’s attempt to regain control of hospital bank accounts after being removed as chief executive.
The hospitals involved in the conflict were acquired in 2024 following the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care, a once extensive hospital chain that underwent a significant healthcare restructuring.
The Post has reached out to both Sarian and Gill for comments on the matter.
