Doctor Faces Criminal Charges Over Opioid Misconduct in NJ

News Summary

Dr. Ritesh Kalra, an internist from Secaucus, New Jersey, has been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including opioid prescription fraud and soliciting sexual favors from patients. Kalra allegedly operated a ‘pill mill’ and distributed over 31,000 prescriptions without legitimate medical purposes, defrauding Medicaid. He faces serious prison time if convicted. The case raises significant concerns about medical ethics and the ongoing opioid crisis in healthcare.

Secaucus, New Jersey — Doctor Ritesh Kalra Faces Serious Criminal Charges Over Opioid Prescriptions and Medicaid Fraud

Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist from Secaucus, New Jersey, has been formally charged with multiple criminal offenses related to the misconduct in his medical practice. The charges include soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions and engaging in healthcare fraud, specifically defrauding New Jersey Medicaid.

Details of the Charges and Alleged Conduct

The United States Attorney has announced that Kalra is accused of operating what authorities refer to as a “pill mill” from his medical office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Between January 2019 and February 2025, he allegedly issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, a potent opioid linked to addiction and overdose risks. These prescriptions also included promethazine with codeine, often used for cough and allergy relief but frequently misused when prescribed with opioids.

Kalra faces a five-count complaint encompassing:

• Three counts of distributing opioids outside the scope of legitimate medical practice
• Two counts of healthcare fraud

The criminal case alleges that Kalra distributed opioids without a genuine medical purpose, effectively running a scheme to supply controlled substances improperly. Additionally, he is accused of defrauding Medicaid by submitting bills for visits that never took place and patients who did not receive proper care or prescriptions.

Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Patient Abuse

Several former employees and patients have reported allegations of inappropriate conduct. Some female patients claimed that Kalra solicited sexual favors to obtain prescriptions. One of the patients reported being sexually assaulted multiple times during appointments, including claims of forced anal sex. Another individual recounted receiving opioid prescriptions while incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility, raising further questions about prescription practices and oversight.

Legal Proceedings and Penalties

Kalra made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa at the federal court in Newark. He has been released under conditions that include home incarceration and an unsecured bond of $100,000. While the case is ongoing, Kalra is prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing any medications, and he is required to shut down his medical practice during the proceedings.

If convicted on all counts, Kalra faces significant penalties, including

• Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for each count of distributing controlled substances
• Up to 10 years in prison and fines of $250,000 or twice the gross profit or loss caused for each count of healthcare fraud

Defense and Additional Background

Kalra’s legal team has denied the allegations, characterizing the charges as sensational and lacking evidence. The case also references a prior incident in 2016, in which Kalra was ordered to pay $12,000 in wages owed to an employee for unpaid work, although this does not appear directly related to the current charges.

Summary

The criminal case against Dr. Ritesh Kalra highlights ongoing concerns about illegal opioid distribution and abuse within medical settings and underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities faced by healthcare providers. Authorities continue investigations to determine the full scope of his activities and any potential additional charges.

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Additional Resources

• Hindustan Times
• Wikipedia: Opioid epidemic
• NDTV
• Google Search: Ritesh Kalra doctor
• Times of India
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Medical ethics
• Zee News
• Google News: Medical Fraud
• Live Mint
• Google Scholar: Medical fraud and ethics