A depiction of a medical clinic linked to serious allegations of illegal opioid prescriptions.
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.
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