News Summary
A physician in Secaucus, New Jersey, faces serious charges of illegal opioid distribution and Medicaid fraud. Ritesh Kalra, 51, has been accused of prescribing opioids outside legitimate medical practice, demanding sexual favors from patients, and fabricating medical records for financial gain. With a history of over 31,000 prescriptions written, his actions raise concerns about patient safety and healthcare integrity. Currently, Kalra is under home incarceration after a preliminary court appearance and is barred from practicing medicine during the ongoing legal proceedings.
Secaucus, New Jersey — Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Medicaid Fraud
A federal criminal case has been initiated against Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician practicing in Secaucus, New Jersey, on charges related to illegal opioid distribution, patient exploitation, and Medicaid fraud. The allegations detail serious misconduct involving unlawful prescribing practices, sexual misconduct with patients, and financial deception targeting Medicaid.
Overview of Charges
Kalra has been formally charged in a 5-count Complaint that includes three counts of distributing opioids outside of legitimate medical practice and two counts of healthcare fraud. These charges stem from his operation of a medical practice in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where authorities allege he prescribed high-dose opioids such as oxycodone and promethazine with codeine without proper medical justification.
Court Appearance and Preliminary Conditions
On July 17, Kalra made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. Following the hearing, he was released under home incarceration and secured an unsecured bond of $100,000. He has been ordered to cease practicing medicine and prescribing medications during the ongoing legal proceedings and is also required to shut down his medical practice temporarily.
Details of Alleged Illegal Activities
Authorities accuse Kalra of maintaining a pill mill out of his office where he dispensed opioids, including oxycodone, in doses far exceeding legitimate medical needs. Records indicate that between January 2019 and February 2025, he issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone. Some days saw him writing more than 50 prescriptions in a single day, raising concerns about the unsupervised and excessive distribution of controlled substances.
Misconduct and Patient Exploitation
Investigators and former employees report that female patients alleged Kalra demanded sexual favors in exchange for prescriptions. There are claims that he solicited oral sex and other sexual acts during clinical appointments. Additionally, one patient has accused him of multiple counts of sexual assault, including forced anal sex, incidents said to have taken place within the clinical setting.
Additional Illegal Practices
The indictment also accuses Kalra of issuing prescriptions for patients who had no contact with him and were incarcerated, including one at the Essex County Correctional Facility. Moreover, authorities allege Kalra billed Medicaid for in-person visits and counseling sessions that never occurred. He is said to have created false medical records by fabricating service dates and progress notes to inflate bills and conceal the lack of actual patient consultations.
Punishments and Legal Consequences
If convicted, Kalra faces significant penalties in accordance with federal law. Each count of illegal drug distribution carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million. Healthcare fraud charges could result in up to 10 years of incarceration and fines that may reach or exceed $250,000, potentially doubled in cases of profit or loss from the offense.
Official Statements and Defense
Prosecutors and officials condemned Kalra’s conduct, emphasizing the exploitation of vulnerable patients struggling with addiction for personal financial gain. Kalra’s attorney has publicly denied the allegations, asserting the charges are false and baseless, and maintains that his client is innocent of the accusations.
Background Context
This case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat opioid abuse, illegal prescribing practices, and healthcare fraud. It underscores the risks posed by unregulated medical practices and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations from exploitation and harm.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Conviction of Doctor in COVID-19 Fraud Case
Federal Authorities Charge New Jersey Doctor with Opioid Crimes
Doctor Charged with Opioid Distribution and Sexual Misconduct
Doctor Accused of Operating Pill Mill and Sex Solicitation
Doctor in Secaucus Charged with Opioid Crimes and Fraud
Federal Charges Filed Against New Jersey Doctor for Fraud
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Opioid Crimes and Exploitation
Doctor Faces Charges for Medical Fraud and Misconduct
Indian-Origin Doctor Ritesh Kalra Charged with Multiple Crimes
Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Medical Fraud and Abuse
Additional Resources
- American Bazaar
- Wikipedia: Opioid Addiction
- Hindustan Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Opioid
- PIX11 News
- Google Search: Opioid Addiction Crisis
- NDTV
- Google News: Opioid Prescription Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake 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 North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
