New Jersey Woman Arrested for Posing as Doctor and Writing Illegal Prescriptions

A New Jersey woman, Maria F. Macburnie, has been arrested for posing as a doctor, treating patients, and writing prescriptions without a license. Prosecutors allege that Macburnie assumed the identity of a licensed relative and used their name from March 2022 to June 2023. She issued multiple prescriptions, submitted insurance claims, and billed for services during times when the relative "was unable to see and treat patients." Macburnie has been charged with practicing medicine without a license, forgery, health care fraud, and distributing a dangerous substance. The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, the economic crimes unit of the prosecutor's office, and the Toms River Township Police Department.