News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, an internist in Secaucus, faces multiple charges including medical fraud, illegal opioid distribution, and soliciting sexual favors from patients. Prosecutors allege he ran a ‘pill mill’ and issued over 31,000 opioid prescriptions without justification. Additionally, Kalra is accused of demanding sexual acts from patients in exchange for prescriptions. Currently under home incarceration, he could face up to 20 years in prison for drug charges and severe fines. The FBI is seeking further victims as the investigation continues.
Secaucus, New Jersey – Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist from Secaucus, New Jersey, has been charged with serious offenses, including medical fraud, illegal distribution of opioids, and soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for prescriptions. Following a recent court hearing, Kalra has been placed under home incarceration.
Federal prosecutors allege that Kalra operated a “pill mill” from his medical clinic in Fair Lawn, prescribing potent opioids, such as oxycodone, without any medical justification. Over a period spanning from January 2019 to February 2025, Kalra issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for opioids, with records showing that he often wrote over 50 prescriptions on certain days. He now faces a total of five federal charges: three for illegal drug distribution and two for health care fraud.
In court documents, the prosecution outlined disturbing allegations of Kalra demanding sexual favors, including oral sex, from female patients in exchange for filling their opioid prescriptions. Reports have surfaced from patients who detailed instances of repeated sexual assault during their visits to the clinic, with one patient recounting harrowing accounts of forced sex acts.
The investigation further revealed that Kalra continued to issue prescriptions to a patient incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility without any legitimate medical contact, highlighting a blatant disregard for medical ethics and patient safety. Additionally, he is accused of defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for consultations that never occurred, casting serious doubts on the integrity of his medical practice.
Kalra’s electronic medical records have come under scrutiny, as they reportedly contain fabricated progress notes that exhibit identical content across different patient files, with no recorded vital signs, which experts say is highly irregular for any legitimate medical practice. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba stated that Kalra’s alleged actions not only endangered lives but also served to exploit vulnerable patients for his personal benefits.
If convicted, 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. The financial repercussions could be equally harsh, with potential fines reaching up to $1 million for each drug charge and over $250,000 for each fraud charge.
Legal Proceedings and Future Implications
Kalra made his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. As part of his release conditions, he has been placed under home arrest with an unsecured $100,000 bond. Moreover, the doctor has been prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing any medications during the ongoing legal proceedings. His medical clinic is also required to shut down as a result of these serious allegations.
Investigation and Call for Victims
This case underscores a significant breach of trust within the medical community, especially as Kalra was expected to provide help and support to those battling addiction. Instead, he reportedly exploited his patients’ vulnerabilities for personal gratification while simultaneously defrauding the healthcare system.
The FBI has launched an appeal for anyone who may have been a victim or knows someone who has received treatment from Dr. Kalra to come forward, indicating that the investigation is ongoing and may reveal even more troubling details about his medical practice.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Sexual Exploitation and Fraud
Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Patient Exploitation
California and Florida Reform Personal Injury Liability Laws
Frances Burney’s Pioneering Mastectomy Without Anesthesia
Charges Dismissed Against Utah Plastic Surgeon
Charges Against Utah Plastic Surgeon Dismissed by DOJ
Louisiana Law Limits Medical Compensation in Car Crash Cases
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
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee 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 Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
