Doctor In South Jersey Charged For Writing Fraudulent Prescriptions

WOODBURY, NJ — A doctor in South Jersey and two others filed fraudulent prescriptions for dangerous drugs without seeing patients, the United States District Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said.

Dr. Marc A. Matozzo, 56, of Woodbury, Dr. Joseph P. DiRenzo Jr., 64, of Egg Harbor Township, and Joseph D. Norris, P.A., 62, of Philadelphia, were charged with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances.

Norris was also charged with one count of false statements related to health care matters.

Over the period from January 2020 through March 2025, the group controlled a voicemail refill system that allowed people to request Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, largely oxycodone and amphetamine, without ever interacting with a certified prescriber.

This included patients who sometimes went more than a year without seeing a proper prescriber.

The three who were charged knew that certain pharmacies would not fill their orders, and used other pharmacies and another medical professional to get the prescriptions filled.

According to the indictment, they received alerts from pharmacy benefit managers and insurers regarding "dangerous amounts" of drugs and combinations of drugs that were being prescribed, but continued to operate.

Multiple people who used the refill line suffered overdoses and died, according to officials. The two doctors and the physician's assistant continued to run the voicemail line without interacting with patients, even after knowing of these overdoses and deaths.

"At a time when our nation continues to confront an opioid crisis, conduct like this undermines public confidence in the medical profession and the tireless efforts of those working to save lives," said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. "The FBI, alongside our partners, will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who exploit positions of trust and benefit from illegal, dangerous, and, too often, fatal schemes."

The charges are part of a two-week "takedown" conducted by federal agents that resulted in charges against 455 people, including 90 doctors and other certified medical professionals nationwide.

Cases were brought in 56 different federal districts and 45 states and territories.

MORE FROM PATCH: Cancer Center Becomes Only In South Jersey To Offer These Treatment Services

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.