News Summary
Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old internist from New Jersey, faces serious charges for operating a pill mill, allegedly trading opioids for sexual favors and targeting healthcare programs for fraud. He has reportedly issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone without legitimate medical justification and is also accused of billing Medicaid for non-existent appointments. Allegations of inappropriate conduct towards patients further complicate Kalra’s case, raising significant concerns about opioid abuse and medical ethics. Kalra has been released under house arrest pending legal proceedings.
Secaucus, New Jersey – A 51-year-old internist of Indian origin, Ritesh Kalra, has been charged with operating a pill mill, where he allegedly prescribed opioids in exchange for sexual favors. The accusations also include fraudulent practices targeting New Jersey’s healthcare program. Kalra has been accused of issuing more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone from January 2019 to February 2025, demonstrating troubling patterns in patient care and prescription practices.
The U.S. Attorney’s office has detailed a five-count complaint against Kalra, which includes three counts of unauthorized opioid distribution and two counts related to healthcare fraud. His practice reportedly lacked legitimate medical justifications for the prescriptions dispensed, raising concerns among authorities about the potential risks associated with high-dose opioids and combinations of narcotics, such as promethazine and codeine that can lead to addiction and abuse.
During the specified time frame, it has been claimed that there were some days when Kalra issued as many as 50 prescriptions. One of the more concerning allegations is that in addition to his questionable prescribing practices, Kalra billed Medicaid for appointments that never took place, submitting fabricated medical records with identical progress notes and missing crucial vital signs.
Accounts from former clinic employees have unveiled disturbing instances involving female patients, who alleged inappropriate touching and demands for sexual favors in exchange for opioid prescriptions. Disturbingly, one patient has accused Kalra of sexual assault multiple times, alleging coercion during medical appointments.
Further investigations revealed that Kalra continued to prescribe opioids to a patient while that individual was incarcerated and had no business contact with him. This behavior has raised significant alarms about the oversight of prescription practices at Kalra’s clinic.
Kalra appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and has been released under house arrest after paying an unsecured bond of $100,000. As part of the legal proceedings, he has also been ordered to halt his medical practice and close his clinic while the case is ongoing.
If found guilty of the charges, 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 healthcare fraud, which indicates the serious nature of the allegations against him.
It’s noteworthy that there are prior indications of Kalra’s troublesome professional history; records show he was once ordered to pay $12,000 in wages to an employee due to issues surrounding non-payment. This past issue adds further context to the scrutiny under which his medical practice is now being placed.
Kalra’s attorney has categorically denied the allegations, contending that the government’s claims are sensationalized and baseless. However, the unfolding case has drawn attention to the critical issue of opioid abuse and the integrity of medical practices, especially in states heavily affected by the opioid crisis.
As the legal process progresses, more details may emerge regarding the extent of Kalra’s alleged misconduct and the impact it may have had on vulnerable patients seeking medical assistance.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Sexual Exploitation
Doctor Charged with Opioid Prescription Misconduct
New Jersey Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Misconduct
Doctor Faces Charges for Medical Fraud and Exploitation
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Fraud
Congressman Reports Road Rage Incident Involving Physician
Additional Resources
- Hindustan Times
- Wikipedia: Opioid crisis
- NY Daily News
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra
- NJ.com
- Google Scholar: medical fraud
- PIX11 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: healthcare fraud
- Times of India
- Google News: sexual exploitation in medicine
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga 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 the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
