The State Board of Medical Examiners has permanently revoked the medical license of Robert Delagente, a Bergen County family physician currently serving a six-year federal prison sentence. The action, announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs, follows Delagente’s conviction for illegally distributing opioids and other prescription drugs without a legitimate medical purpose and falsifying records to conceal his activities.
Delagente, who operated North Jersey Family Medicine in Oakland, New Jersey, had his license temporarily suspended in June 2019 after his arrest on charges related to illegal prescribing. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances (CDS), three counts of CDS distribution, and obstruction of justice by falsifying medical records. In May 2022, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison with an additional three years of supervised release.
Following his sentencing, the State filed a complaint alleging that Delagente engaged in gross negligence and professional misconduct. The complaint also cited violations of laws prohibiting indiscriminate prescribing and criminal conduct related to his profession. In a final consent order filed this week, Delagente agreed to the permanent revocation of his medical license and will not be able to reapply for licensure. His New Jersey CDS Registration was also permanently revoked.
Attorney General Platkin stated, “New Jersey is still struggling to address the long-term effects of an addiction crisis fueled by the unchecked flow of prescription opioids into our communities. There is no doubt that Robert Delagente belongs behind bars for his role in keeping the scourge of addiction alive in our state. The action we’re announcing today holds him accountable for betraying his professional oath by recklessly prescribing highly addictive opioid medications that surely helped destroy the lives of countless individuals.”
Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, said: “At a time when responsible physicians across New Jersey were joining the statewide effort to combat the addiction crisis and save lives, Robert Delagente was illegally profiting from this deadly epidemic. By revoking his license to practice medicine in New Jersey, we are making it clear that we will not allow doctors to hide behind their prescription pads to conduct themselves like street-corner drug dealers.”
The investigation into Delagente’s actions was conducted jointly by the FBI and the New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP). Authorities found that beginning in May 2014 at North Jersey Family Medicine, Delagente prescribed opioids such as oxycodone and Percocet as well as benzodiazepines like alprazolam outside standard medical practices and without legitimate need. Investigators determined he ignored significant risks associated with these prescriptions—including overdose, abuse, and death—and altered patient records after law enforcement subpoenaed them.
Additionally, authorities discovered that Delagente submitted more than $32,000 in false insurance claims for services never provided—a separate offense leading OIFP to charge him with health care claims fraud. He pleaded guilty to this charge as well; his five-year state sentence is being served concurrently with his federal term.
Deputy Attorney General Cristina E. Ramundo represented the State before the Board under supervision from Professional Boards Prosecution Section Chief Doreen Hafner within the Division of Law’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group.
Patients who believe they have been treated improperly by licensed health professionals may file complaints with the State Division of Consumer Affairs or call its hotlines for assistance.
