News Summary
Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician from New Jersey, has been charged with distributing opioids in exchange for sexual favors and committing Medicaid fraud. The five-count complaint includes serious allegations of running a ‘pill mill,’ improperly prescribing controlled substances, and falsifying medical records. Kalra has been ordered to remain on home incarceration and has been prohibited from practicing medicine. Legal experts indicate severe penalties could follow if found guilty, reflecting the ongoing issues surrounding the opioid epidemic in the U.S.
Secaucus, New Jersey — Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician of Indian descent, has been charged with serious offenses of distributing opioids in exchange for sexual favors and committing Medicaid fraud. The five-count complaint, filed against Kalra, includes three counts of distributing opioids outside the scope of legitimate medical practice and two counts of healthcare fraud.
Kalra appeared in court for the first time on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. Following his appearance, Kalra was ordered to remain on home incarceration and released on an unsecured bond set at $100,000. Additionally, he has been prohibited from practicing medicine and is required to close his medical practice while the case is ongoing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey has characterized Kalra’s actions as exploitative, claiming that he took advantage of vulnerable patients for personal gain while defrauding the public healthcare system. Investigators allege that Kalra operated a “pill mill” at his medical office in Fair Lawn, where he regularly prescribed high doses of opioids, such as oxycodone and promethazine with codeine, without any legitimate medical justification.
Between January 2019 and February 2025, it is reported that Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, at times issuing upwards of 50 prescriptions in a single day. Concerns regarding his practice emerged when multiple former employees indicated that female patients had made complaints about Kalra’s sexual misconduct, alleging he pressured them into sexual acts in return for prescriptions. Allegations also include instances where one patient accused him of sexual assault during clinical visits, with claims of forced anal sex.
In addition to prescribing controlled substances improperly, Kalra faces accusations of billing Medicaid for consultations and counseling sessions that reportedly never transpired. The electronic medical records associated with his practice allegedly contained falsified progress notes and contrived dates of service. Witness statements suggest the exam notes were repetitive and critically lacked essential vitals documentation.
The legal ramifications for Kalra are significant. Each count of distributing controlled substances could lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison alongside a potential $1 million fine. Meanwhile, each count of healthcare fraud risks a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison as well as a fine of $250,000 or double the financial gain or loss resulting from the offense.
Kalra’s legal representation has strongly denied the allegations, describing the charges as unfounded and inflammatory, while also criticizing the government’s public statements as sensationalized akin to a supermarket tabloid.
This case underscores the broader issue of the opioid epidemic in the United States and highlights the shocking reality of how some medical professionals may exploit patients grappling with addiction for personal and illicit gain. The ramifications of such exploitations go beyond individual victims, reflecting the systemic problems that have contributed to the ongoing public health crisis surrounding opioid use and abuse.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Federal Indictment Against New Jersey Doctor for Opioid Fraud
Doctor Charged with Unlawfully Prescribing Opioids and Exploitation
Physician Faces Charges for Medical Fraud and Sexual Assault
Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Sexual Exploitation
New Jersey Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Exploitation
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Sexual Exploitation and Fraud
Indian-origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Fraud
Additional Resources
- MSN News
- Wikipedia: Opioid epidemic
- NY Daily News
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra
- Deccan Herald
- Google Scholar: Healthcare Fraud
- NJ.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual exploitation
- WPG Talk Radio
- Google News: Ritesh Kalra Doctor
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
