New Jersey Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Exploitation

News Summary

Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician from New Jersey, faces multiple charges including medical fraud, illegal drug distribution, and sexual exploitation of patients. Allegations include running a ‘pill mill’ and soliciting sexual favors for prescriptions. After a court hearing, he has been placed on home incarceration. Prosecutors allege he exploited vulnerable patients, issued thousands of prescriptions without justification, and defrauded Medicaid. The FBI is encouraging victims to come forward, emphasizing the need for accountability in the healthcare system.

Secaucus, New Jersey – Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist, has been charged with multiple counts of medical fraud, illegal drug distribution, and sexual exploitation of patients. The charges stem from allegations that Kalra operated a “pill mill” out of his medical practice in Fair Lawn, where he prescribed opioids like oxycodone without medical justification and solicited sexual favors from patients in exchange for prescriptions. Following a hearing in federal court, Kalra has been placed under home incarceration.

Kalra faces a total of five federal charges, including three counts related to the illegal distribution of drugs and two counts of health care fraud. Prosecutors claim that he exploited vulnerable patients dealing with addiction instead of adhering to the ethical standards required of his profession.

Between January 2019 and February 2025, it is alleged that Kalra issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, with some days witnessing more than 50 prescriptions written. These practices raise serious concerns about his clinical judgment and ethical conduct as a medical professional. Court documents reveal that Kalra demanded sexual favors from female patients in return for prescribing opioid medications. One victim reported being sexually assaulted multiple times during clinical visits.

In perhaps the most concerning aspect of this case, Kalra continued to write prescriptions for an incarcerated patient at Essex County Correctional Facility without any direct medical contact. Furthermore, he is accused of defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for consultations that allegedly never took place. Investigations revealed that his electronic medical records included fabricated progress notes, all containing identical information across various patient files, with no vital signs recorded.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has expressed that Kalra’s actions not only endangered lives but also took advantage of those who were in desperate need of medical help and support. If found guilty, Kalra faces severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for each count of illegal drug distribution and up to 10 years for each count of health care fraud. Additionally, fines could reach as high as $1 million for each drug charge and $250,000 or more for each fraud charge.

During his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa, Kalra was released on home arrest with an unsecured bond amounting to $100,000. As part of the conditions of his release, he has been barred from practicing medicine or prescribing any medications, and he must shut down his medical clinic while the legal proceedings unfold.

This investigation underscores a severe breach of trust between a medical professional and his patients. Kalra, who was expected to provide care and support to individuals struggling with addiction, instead exploited those very individuals for his own personal gratification while further defrauding the healthcare system.

The FBI is urging anyone who may have been a victim of Dr. Kalra or knows someone treated by him to come forward with information. The agency emphasizes the importance of accountability in the healthcare system and aims to ensure that those who exploit patients face justice for their actions.

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Additional Resources

• Hudson County View
• Wikipedia: Opioid crisis
• WPG Talk Radio
• Google Search: medical fraud cases
• Hindustan Times
• Google Scholar: medical ethics
• New York Daily News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: ethics
• Daily Voice
• Google News: medical ethics violations
• RLS Media