News Summary
Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist, has been charged with illegal distribution of opioids and healthcare fraud in New Jersey. Allegations include prescribing over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions without medical justification and soliciting sexual favors from patients for medication. He has been released under house arrest pending trial, facing up to 20 years in prison for drug distribution and 10 years for healthcare fraud if convicted. This case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding the opioid crisis and illegal prescribing practices in the healthcare system.
Secaucus, New Jersey – Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist accused of running a “pill mill,” is facing serious charges relating to the illegal distribution of opioids and healthcare fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s office claims he issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone from January 2019 to February 2025 without legitimate medical justification, allegedly exchanging these prescriptions for sexual favors from patients.
Kalra’s indictment includes a five-count complaint consisting of three counts for unauthorized distribution of opioids and two counts of healthcare fraud. Authorities highlighted that he frequently prescribed high doses of opioids alongside promethazine with codeine, substances that are known to carry a significant risk of addiction and abuse. Notably, the number of prescriptions written included days where as many as 50 prescriptions were issued, raising red flags about the legitimacy of his practice.
Reports from former employees of Kalra’s clinic allege that patients claimed they were subjected to inappropriate touching or were solicited for sexual favors in order to receive their medication. One individual detailed serious allegations of sexual assault, claiming she was forced into sexual acts during her appointments.
Moreover, investigations revealed that Kalra continued prescribing opioids to a patient while they were incarcerated and had no contact with him, further questioning the integrity of his medical practices. Evidence also indicated that he engaged in fraudulent billing by charging New Jersey’s healthcare program, Medicaid, for nonexistent consultations and counseling visits. Fabricated medical records featured identical progress notes across multiple patients and excluded vital signs, raising concerns about the authenticity of his practice.
Kalra made a court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and has been released under house arrest after posting a $100,000 unsecured bond. As part of his release conditions, Kalra has been mandated to cease practicing medicine immediately and to shut down his medical clinic until the resolution of the case.
If found guilty, he could face a lengthy prison sentence—potentially up to 20 years each for the counts of illegal drug distribution, along with a maximum of 10 years for each count of healthcare fraud. Kalra’s attorney has denied all allegations, describing them as not only baseless but sensationalized in nature.
This case is set against a backdrop of growing concerns regarding the opioid crisis, with health officials and law enforcement regularly targeting illegal prescribing practices to combat what has become a serious public health issue in the United States. The ramifications of such acts can lead to devastating consequences for individuals struggling with substance abuse and those potentially affected by unlawful medical practices.
In a separate but relevant note, historical records indicate that Kalra previously faced legal action where he was ordered to pay $12,000 in wages to an employee due to a non-payment issue, underscoring a history of challenges in his professional conduct.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Physician Charged with Distributing Opioids for Sexual Favors
Federal Indictment Against New Jersey Doctor for Opioid Fraud
Physician Faces Charges for Medical Fraud and Sexual Assault
New Jersey Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Exploitation
Indian-origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Fraud
Additional Resources
- Hindustan Times
- Wikipedia: Opioid crisis
- NY Daily News
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra
- NJ.com
- Google Scholar: medical fraud
- PIX11 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: healthcare fraud
- Times of India
- Google News: sexual exploitation in medicine
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.
