A doctor from Paterson, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute opioids without a legitimate medical purpose. The sentencing was announced by Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello.
“Physicians are entrusted with extraordinary power over the lives and health of their patients. When a physician abandons that duty and instead fuels opioid addiction for profit, the damage ripples far beyond a single exam room and into entire communities. This sentence reflects the seriousness of that breach of trust and sends a clear message: medical licenses are not shields for criminal conduct, and doctors who help drive the opioid epidemic will be held accountable,” said Lamparello.
Lisa Ferraro, age 67, from Hillsdale, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring with others to distribute oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical reason.
Court documents show that between January 2019 and September 23, 2023, Ferraro practiced internal medicine in Paterson until her arrest in October 2023. During this period, she participated in a scheme where she prescribed oxycodone to individuals posing as patients without conducting physical examinations or assessing symptoms to determine if there was a valid medical need. Throughout the conspiracy, Ferraro issued prescriptions totaling tens of thousands of 30mg oxycodone pills.
Senior Counsel Lamparello credited special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led by Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, for their work on the investigation.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman, Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel was Linda George from Hackensack, New Jersey.
