A serious courtroom atmosphere reflecting a case of healthcare fraud.
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a Fair Lawn internist, faces serious charges for allegedly soliciting sexual favors from patients in return for opioid prescriptions. The five-count complaint includes charges of healthcare fraud and distributing opioids without a legitimate medical purpose. Former employees described Kalra’s office as a ‘pill mill,’ with numerous allegations of misconduct, including sexual assault. If convicted, he could face significant prison time and fines. The case highlights ongoing issues related to opioid distribution and patient safety within the healthcare system.
Secaucus, New Jersey — Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist based in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is facing serious legal charges for allegedly soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions. In addition to sexual solicitation, Kalra has been charged with multiple counts of medical fraud, including defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for medical visits that reportedly never occurred.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Kalra has been accused of distributing opioids, particularly oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. Between January 2019 and February 2025, he allegedly issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, a powerful opioid that can lead to addiction. His prescriptions also included promethazine with codeine, another controlled substance.
Kalra’s medical office has been described by former employees as operating like a “pill mill,” where patients could easily obtain prescriptions for opioids. Several former staff members reported that among the patients, numerous women claimed Kalra solicited sexual favors in exchange for their prescriptions. One woman alleged she was sexually assaulted multiple times during medical appointments, which included forced anal sex. Other disturbing reports indicate that a patient received opioid prescriptions while incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
The charges against Kalra comprise a five-count complaint, which includes three counts of distributing opioids in a manner outside the usual professional practice and two counts of healthcare fraud. If convicted, Kalra faces severe penalties. Each count of distributing controlled substances can lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, accompanied by a fine of up to $1 million. Each count of healthcare fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profit or loss stemming from the offense.
Kalra made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. Following the appearance, he was released on home incarceration and an unsecured bond of $100,000. While the case is pending, Kalra has been prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing medications, and he is mandated to shut down his medical practice.
In response to the allegations, Kalra’s attorney has denied the charges, claiming the details in the press release resemble sensational tabloid news rather than factual reporting. This incident is not the first controversy surrounding Kalra; in 2016, he was ordered to pay $12,000 to an employee for unpaid wages.
The investigation into Kalra’s conduct sheds light on ongoing issues within the medical field regarding the proper distribution and prescription of opioids, which have been associated with rising addiction and abuse rates in recent years. The case is one of many that highlight the critical need for ethical practices within healthcare and the prevention of fraud and abuse in prescription distribution.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Kalra’s case draws significant attention, not only for its serious implications regarding patient safety and privacy but also for the wider conversation it ignites about opioid prescribing practices, healthcare fraud, and the protection of vulnerable patients within the medical system.
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