State authorities say the license of a Manahawkin doctor has been suspended for illegally distributing painkillers.
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners said on Thursday it has obtained the voluntary temporary license suspension of Dr. Liviu T. Holca.
The suspension follows Holca's arrest in January by Ocean County authorities on charges he was illegally distributing highly addictive opiate painkillers with no medical justification.
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman says Holca allegedly pocketed large sums of cash in exchange for the prescriptions. Hoffman says the allegations are especially troubling in Ocean County, which has seen the worst of the state's deadly opiate epidemic.
The suspension is in lieu of a disciplinary hearing and will remain in place pending further order of the Board.
