ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
Dr. Matthew Sabo Sexual Abuse & Inappropriate Touching
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: September 15, 2026
If you experienced inappropriate touching, sexual misconduct, or other unwanted sexual contact while receiving care from Dr. Matthew Sabo in Western Pennsylvania, you may have legal rights. Multiple patients testified about inappropriate conduct by Dr. Sabo, including allegations that he grabbed patients during medical appointments and used his authority as a doctor and prescriber to exert control over patients.
Dr. Sabo pleaded guilty in May 2026 to criminal offenses involving the overprescription of opioids, unlawful access to Pennsylvania’s prescription drug monitoring system, and simple assault. He was subsequently sentenced to one to two years of incarceration, followed by six years of probation.
If you were a patient of Dr. Sabo and believe he abused his position of trust, contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free, confidential consultation about your legal options.
Who Is Dr. Matthew Sabo?
Dr. Matthew Sabo is a former podiatrist who operated The Foot and Ankle Wellness Center of Western Pennsylvania. The practice had multiple locations throughout Western Pennsylvania, including offices in Armstrong and Butler Counties.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Sabo’s criminal conduct involved overprescribing opioids to patients while assaulting them and continuing to access Pennsylvania’s prescription drug monitoring system after his access had been suspended.
Allegations of Patient Abuse
A Statewide Investigating Grand Jury heard testimony from women regarding Sabo’s conduct. Patients testified that Sabo had grabbed them inappropriately during medical appointments.
Some patients also testified that they received high levels of opioid medication for extended periods and believed they could lose access to their prescriptions if they rejected Sabo’s advances or reported his conduct.
For patients who depended on medication to manage pain, this alleged dynamic could have created an especially difficult situation. A doctor has significant authority over a patient’s medical care and treatment, and patients may reasonably feel unable to challenge or report inappropriate behavior when they depend on that doctor for medication.
Concerns About Sabo's Medical Practice
Sabo operated a multi-location medical practice and employed other doctors and staff members. This raises important questions about what others within the practice may have known or observed and whether appropriate safeguards were in place to protect patients.
A civil investigation can examine whether complaints were made, whether employees witnessed inappropriate behavior, whether warning signs were ignored, and whether the practice took reasonable steps to protect patients from harm.
Dr. Matthew Sabo Investigation and Criminal Case Timeline
The investigation into Dr. Sabo’s conduct involved patient testimony, prescription records, and information obtained by investigators. Key events include:
2007 — The Foot and Ankle Wellness Center Begins Operating
Public reporting indicates that Dr. Sabo operated The Foot and Ankle Wellness Center of Western Pennsylvania for many years, with locations throughout Western Pennsylvania.
July 2022 — Sabo’s Prescription Database Access Is Suspended
Sabo’s access to Pennsylvania’s statewide prescription drug monitoring system, known as ABC-MAP, was suspended.
After July 2022 — Sabo Continued Accessing the Database
Investigators determined that Sabo continued accessing the prescription monitoring system for nearly a dozen individuals after his access had been suspended.
Statewide Grand Jury Investigation — Patients Testify
Women testified before a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury about Sabo’s conduct. Some described inappropriate touching, while others testified about receiving high levels of opioids and their concerns about losing access to medication if they rejected or reported Sabo’s behavior.
May 2026 — Sabo Pleads Guilty
Sabo pleaded guilty to violations of Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, knowingly or intentionally obtaining information from the ABC-MAP system, and simple assault.
May 2026 — Sabo Is Sentenced
An Armstrong County judge sentenced Sabo to one to two years of incarceration, with permission to serve the sentence on house arrest, followed by six years of probation.
May 2026 — Victims Speak at Sentencing
Multiple victims attended Sabo’s sentencing and provided statements describing the impact of his conduct.
What Patients Have Reported About Dr. Matthew Sabo
Patients who testified during the investigation described inappropriate conduct occurring in the context of medical appointments. Their testimony also raised concerns about the relationship between Sabo’s prescribing practices and his alleged conduct toward patients.
Inappropriate Touching During Medical Appointments
Women testified before the grand jury that Sabo grabbed them inappropriately. Some patients described conduct that they did not consent to and did not consider appropriate for a medical examination.
Unwanted touching by a doctor can be especially confusing for a patient because medical examinations can involve physical contact. A health care provider’s position of authority can also make it difficult for a patient to understand whether they can object or feel comfortable reporting what happened.
Concerns About Opioid Prescriptions
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, some patients testified that they received high levels of opioids for extended periods and believed they would lose access to their prescriptions if they rejected or reported Sabo’s conduct.
This alleged connection between medical treatment and inappropriate conduct is an important aspect of the investigation into Sabo.
Patients May Have Feared Reporting His Conduct
A patient may hesitate to report a doctor’s behavior for many reasons. In Sabo’s case, some patients testified that their dependence on opioid medication made them afraid to challenge his behavior or report what happened.
If you were afraid to report Sabo because you depended on him for medication or medical treatment, that does not mean you forfeited your legal rights.
Patients May Have Been Afraid to Report
According to grand jury testimony, one patient said she did not report an incident to the office because Dr. Sabo’s wife was the office manager.
A patient’s decision not to report abuse does not necessarily mean that the practice had no warning signs. An investigation may consider whether there were other complaints, observations, or circumstances that should have alerted practice leadership to potential misconduct.
Employees May Have Witnessed Inappropriate Behavior
Information from the investigation also indicates that employees may have witnessed behavior by Sabo that appeared inappropriate.
In one reported instance, an employee allegedly responded to a woman’s concern about Sabo rubbing her shoulder by saying, “Oh, that’s just how he is.”
Comments or observations like these may be relevant when determining what employees or practice leadership knew about a doctor’s behavior.
Did the Practice Respond to Warning Signs?
A medical practice has a responsibility to take patient safety seriously. When concerns arise about a doctor’s interactions with patients, an investigation may examine whether those concerns were documented, reported, investigated, or addressed.
The existence of a complaint does not automatically establish that a practice is legally liable. However, evidence that an organization knew or should have known about inappropriate conduct and failed to take reasonable action may be important in a civil case.
What Can I Do If Dr. Matthew Sabo Abused Me?
If you experienced unwanted touching, sexual misconduct, or other inappropriate behavior from Dr. Sabo, you may have legal options even if you did not report the conduct at the time.
You can take several steps to learn more about your rights and protect your potential claim.
1. Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer
An experienced Pennsylvania sexual abuse attorney can listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and determine whether you may have a civil claim.
You do not have to know whether what happened legally qualifies as sexual abuse before contacting an attorney. An attorney can help evaluate the circumstances and determine what claims may be available.
2. Preserve Your Medical Records
Medical records, prescription information, appointment records, communications, and other documentation may help establish the nature and timing of your treatment.
An attorney can help identify the records and other evidence that may be relevant to your case.
3. Consider Reporting the Conduct
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to report suspected misconduct to law enforcement or the appropriate Pennsylvania licensing or regulatory authorities.
Speaking with an attorney first can help you understand the reporting process and your available options.
4. Determine Whether You Can File a Civil Lawsuit
A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit are separate legal proceedings. Even though Sabo has pleaded guilty and been sentenced, survivors may have separate civil claims depending on the circumstances.
A civil lawsuit may allow a survivor to seek financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by abuse.
5. Determine Whether Other Parties May Be Responsible
A civil investigation can examine whether the medical practice, employers, or other organizations had knowledge of inappropriate conduct or failed to take reasonable steps to protect patients.
This may be particularly important when abuse occurs within a medical practice where other doctors, employees, or administrators may have observed warning signs.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
When you work with Andreozzi + Foote, our sexual abuse attorneys can:
- Thoroughly investigate your experience and the circumstances surrounding the abuse
- Gather and preserve available evidence and records
- Investigate whether other patients experienced similar conduct
- Examine the medical practice’s policies and procedures
- Investigate whether employees or administrators knew or should have known about misconduct
- Identify potentially responsible parties
- File a civil lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations
- Handle communications with opposing attorneys and other parties
- Negotiate a potential settlement
- Prepare your case for trial when appropriate
Andreozzi + Foote Exclusively Represents Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Our firm does not divide its focus among unrelated areas of personal injury law. We concentrate on representing survivors of sexual abuse and holding accountable the organizations responsible for the harm they experienced.
If Dr. Matthew Sabo was your doctor and you experienced unwanted touching, sexual misconduct, or other inappropriate behavior, you do not have to determine on your own whether you have a legal claim.
Andreozzi + Foote offers free, confidential consultations to survivors who want to understand their legal rights and options.
To get started, contact us online or call 866-311-8640.
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