Western Pa. Doctor Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Overprescribing Opioids, Abuse of Multiple Patients - PA Office of Attorney General

A Butler County podiatrist has pleaded guilty to criminal charges involving the overprescription of opioids and the unauthorized access of patient data. Dr. Matthew Sabo, 52, admitted to criminal conduct occurring at his practice locations in Armstrong and Butler counties.

The Charges and Legal Proceedings

Dr. Sabo pleaded guilty to violations of the Controlled Substance Drug Device and Cosmetic Act and simple assault. He also admitted to knowingly obtaining information from the ABC-MAP system.

Court records indicate that Sabo overprescribed opioids to his patients while committing assaults against them. Following the suspension of his access to a statewide prescription drug monitoring resource, he continued to access the database.

Did You Know? Although his access to the state prescription drug monitoring resource was suspended in July 2022, Dr. Sabo continued to access the database for nearly a dozen individuals.

Impact on Patient Health and Trust

Victims who testified in court described a devastating shift in their health. One individual stated they had never taken a pain pill prior to seeing Dr. Sabo, but became addicted after his treatment.

Other women testified before a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury that Sabo grabbed them inappropriately. Some victims believed they could not report these actions for fear of losing access to the high levels of opioids they had been receiving for extended periods.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this case highlights a severe breach of the physician-patient relationship. When a provider leverages a patient’s chemical dependency to facilitate abuse, it creates a dangerous power imbalance that can delay victims from seeking help or reporting crimes.

Sentencing and Professional Consequences

An Armstrong County Judge sentenced Sabo to one to two years of incarceration, with permission to serve that time on house arrest. This sentence is followed by six years of probation.

Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that Sabo abused his authority for selfish reasons. Sunday noted that such conduct leaves a stain on the medical profession and those providers who act in the best interests of their patients.

Possible Future Developments

Given the six-year probation period, Sabo may be subject to strict monitoring to ensure compliance with court orders. The legal resolution of this case could lead to further scrutiny of prescription monitoring system security to prevent unauthorized access.

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the testimony provided to the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury may serve as a reference for how similar cases of medical authority abuse are handled in western Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Dr. Matthew Sabo’s sentence?

He was sentenced to one to two years of incarceration, which may be served via house arrest, followed by six years of probation.

Which specific systems did Dr. Sabo illegally access?

Dr. Sabo pleaded guilty to intentionally obtaining information from the ABC-MAP system, a statewide prescription drug monitoring resource, after his privileges had been suspended.

What were the primary charges against the podiatrist?

He pleaded guilty to simple assault, violations of the Controlled Substance Drug Device and Cosmetic Act, and the unauthorized use of the ABC-MAP system.

How can patients better protect themselves when they feel a healthcare provider is overprescribing medication?

Western Pa. Doctor Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Overprescribing Opioids, Abuse of Multiple Patients – PA Office of Attorney General