Former LI Doctor Sentenced For Overdose Deaths Of 2 Patients

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A former medical doctor from Merrick was sentenced on Thursday to 23 years in prison for the illegal distribution of oxycodone that led to the overdose deaths of two patients, the Department of Justice said.

Michael Belfiore was also ordered to forfeit $7,270 in illegal fees that he took from the deceased patients, and pay $17,000 in restitution, the US Attorney for the Eastern District said.

Belfiore, from Westbury, was convicted of the charges in May 2018 by a federal jury. His medical license lapsed and he is no longer practicing medicine.

Belfiore, 58, was a doctor of osteopathic medicine who primarily operated out of an office in Merrick, New York, was accused of illegally distributing oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, the US Attorney said.

"In violation of his oath to do no harm, Belfiore intentionally distributed highly addictive and potentially lethal opioids in dosages and quantities that resulted in the overdose deaths of two of his patients, US Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. "Today’s sentence sends a strong message that this office and its law enforcement partners will fight the opioid epidemic and seek serious punishment for medical professionals like Belfiore who betray their profession and use their prescription pads to further addiction, rather than as a tool to heal."

At trial, the evidence established that on February 28, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 120 30 mg oxycodone pills to 42-year-old Edward Martin. On March 5, Martin overdosed and died in his bed after snorting the oxycodone obtained from Belfiore’s prescription.

On April 12, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 150 30 mg oxycodone pills to 32-year-old John Ubaghs. On April 13, 2013, Ubaghs was found unresponsive after overdosing on oxycodone prescribed by Belfiore, and was pronounced dead at the hospital, the US Attorney's office said in a release.

Between March 2013 and August 2013, Belfiore intentionally dispensed six prescriptions of oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose to an undercover detective with the NCPD’s Narcotics Vice Squad, the US Attorney said.