HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a podiatrist from Butler County has pleaded guilty to overprescribing opioids to patients and accessing their personal information after his privileges were suspended.
Dr. Matthew Sabo, 52, has offices in numerous western Pennsylvania counties and pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal conduct at Armstrong and Butler County locations. He pleaded guilty to violations of the Controlled Substance Drug Device and Cosmetic Act, knowingly or intentionally obtaining information from the ABC-MAP system, and simple assault.
Specifically, Sabo overprescribed opioids to patients while assaulting them, then, following the suspension of his access to a statewide prescription drug monitoring resource, continued to access the database.
An Armstrong County Judge sentenced Sabo to one to two years incarceration (with permission to serve the sentence on house arrest), followed by six years of probation.
“This doctor had an obligation to provide sound medical care and treatment to his patients, and instead abused his authority for his own selfish reasons,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This type of conduct leaves a stain on the entire medical profession and the many doctors and healthcare providers who act every day in the best interests of their patients.”
Multiple victims were in court for Sabo’s sentencing, and offered statements.
“Prior to seeing Dr Sabo, I had never taken a pain pill. After seeing him, I was addicted,” one victim said.
“What kind of Dr does this? What kind of Dr puts his patients in harm’s way?” another victim said. “He got pure enjoyment knowing he could put his hands anywhere he wanted to because he made me so dependent on a drug, a drug that he over prescribed.”
A Statewide Investigating Grand Jury heard testimony regarding Sabo’s conduct. Women testified before the grand jurors that Sabo had grabbed them inappropriately.
Some women testified that they received high levels of opioids for extended periods, and believed they would lose access to the prescriptions if they rejected or reported Sabo’s actions.
During the investigation, agents discovered Sabo’s access to the state prescription drug monitoring resource was suspended in July 2022, but he continued to access the database for nearly a dozen individuals.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Cotter.
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