News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, an internist from Secaucus, NJ, faces serious charges including soliciting sexual favors from patients for opioid prescriptions, healthcare fraud, and operating a ‘pill mill.’ Prosecutors allege he defrauded Medicaid while issuing thousands of prescriptions without legitimate medical justification. The implications of his actions on patient safety and legal accountability are significant as the case unfolds.
Secaucus, New Jersey – Doctor Charged for Opioid Prescription Fraud and Sexual Misconduct
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist from Secaucus, New Jersey, has been charged with soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions. He is also facing multiple counts of healthcare fraud, including defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for patient visits that reportedly never took place. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in a recent press release.
Kalra is accused of operating a “pill mill” from his medical office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where he allegedly distributed opioids without a legitimate medical purpose. Between January 2019 and February 2025, he purportedly issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone—a potent opioid often associated with addiction—as well as for promethazine with codeine. Investigations have revealed that several former employees reported numerous complaints from female patients claiming that Kalra solicited sexual favors in return for these prescriptions.
One disturbing account involved a patient who alleged she had been sexually assaulted multiple times during clinical appointments, including forced anal sex. Additionally, another patient allegedly received opioid prescriptions while incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility. These accusations contribute to a five-count complaint against Kalra, comprising three counts of distributing controlled substances outside the typical professional course and two counts of health care fraud.
The consequences of Kalra’s actions could be severe. The maximum penalty for each count of distributing controlled substances is up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million. On the other hand, each count of healthcare fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a financial penalty of up to $250,000 or twice the gross profit or loss resulting from the offense.
Kalra made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa at Newark federal court. Following the hearing, he has been released on home incarceration and an unsecured bond of $100,000. Furthermore, he is currently prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing medications while the case is pending, and he has been required to shut down his medical practice for the duration of the legal proceedings.
In previous dealings, Kalra had also encountered legal troubles; he was instructed in 2016 to pay $12,000 in wages owed to an employee after failing to compensate them for work performed. His attorney has publicly denied the current allegations, suggesting that the language used in the attorney’s press release resembles sensational tabloid journalism.
As investigations continue, the case has raised significant concerns around opioid prescription practices and the potential exploitation of patients in vulnerable situations. With public health officials emphasizing the crisis surrounding opioid addiction, the unfolding of this case may shed light on deeper systemic issues within medical practices concerning responsible patient care.
The outcome of Dr. Ritesh Kalra’s case will have implications for not only his career but also for ongoing discussions about opioids, health care fraud, and patient protection in New Jersey and beyond. The court date and further proceedings will be closely monitored as the public seeks justice for the patients involved and accountability for medical practitioners.
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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
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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.
