Warren Doctor Jailed For Unlawfully Prescribing Thousands Of Oxycodone Pills

WARREN, NJ — A cardiologist from Warren was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for unlawfully prescribing more than 8,600 Oxycodone pills, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Raymond Catania, 60, of Warren — a doctor specializing in cardiology and practicing in Watchung — pleaded guilty to the charges of dispensing Oxycodone outside of the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp imposed the sentence on Wednesday in Trenton federal court.

From January 2016 through March 2017, Catania issued prescriptions for thousands of Oxycodone pills to one of his patients, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Catania also prescribed thousands of Oxycodone pills to that patient's wife even though the wife was not his patient, according to Sellinger.

Catania prescribed more than 8,600 Oxycodone 30 mg pills, said Sellinger.

"Oxycodone – a Schedule II controlled substance – has a high potential for abuse that can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence and can result in fatal overdoses," according to authorities.

In addition to the prison term, Catania was fined $25,000 and is sentenced to three years of supervised release.

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