Monmouth Doctor Charged in Oxycodone Distribution Investigation

It is common practice for a doctor to fill out prescriptions, but one doctor supposedly went too far.

Dr. Paul DiLorenzo of Ocean Township faces federal charges for allegedly organizing a conspiracy to illegally prescribe and distribute oxycodone, and trying to launder the proceeds.

There are heavy restrictions on oxycodone because of its reputation to be psychologically and physically addictive.

According to the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, he was charged for one count each of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, structuring financial transactions, and conspiracy to launder money, plus eight counts of failing to collect and pay payroll taxes.

Between 2009 and June 2012, DiLorenzo allegedly gave partners blank prescription pads that he would sign with little or no prior medical examination. The pills would then be bought and distributed.

He also charged his alleged patients $500 in cash for their first visit, $300 in cash for their second visit, and $150 in cash for urine analysis, investigators said.

He agreed to split the profits with some of his accomplices, but failed to report or pay employment taxes, officials said.

DiLorenzo allegedly deposited $1,090,939 through more than 150 transactions, keeping each under the $10,000 threshold requiring federal filings.

However, one of his deposits went over $10,000, investigators said, prompting the teller to inform DiLorenzo of the need to file the document.

Authorities said that DiLorenzo tried to cancel the transaction rather than go through with common procedure.

Another $521,212.25 in cash was found in his house and his parents' house, investigators said.

If conviction, DiLorenzo faces many years in prison and large sums of fines: a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1million fine for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, 10 years and $500,000 for structuring financial transactions, 20 years and $500,000 for money laundering, and 5 years and $250,000 for failing to pay employment taxes.