Doctor Charged with Prescribing Opioids for Sexual Favors

The grim reality of healthcare fraud and patient exploitation

News Summary

Ritesh Kalra, a doctor in Secaucus, New Jersey, faces serious charges for allegedly prescribing opioids in exchange for sexual favors. He has been accused of distributing controlled substances without medical justification and committing Medicaid fraud. Kalra’s case reveals a disturbing pattern of manipulation of vulnerable patients and unethical medical practices, raising significant concerns about patient safety within the healthcare system. The court has ordered him to cease all medical practices as he awaits trial.

Secaucus, New Jersey – Doctor Charged with Prescribing Opioids for Sexual Favors

Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old doctor of Indian origin from Secaucus, New Jersey, is facing serious charges related to his medical practice. He has been accused of prescribing opioids in exchange for sexual favors and committing Medicaid fraud. Kalra has been charged with a five-count complaint that includes three counts of illegally distributing opioids and two counts of healthcare fraud.

On Thursday, Kalra made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. Following this appearance, he was placed under home incarceration and released on an unsecured $100,000 bond. The court has ordered Kalra to cease all medical practice and is prohibited from prescribing any medication while the case is ongoing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey has stated that Kalra took advantage of vulnerable patients, manipulating them for sexual favors while defrauding the public healthcare system. Investigators allege that Kalra ran a pill mill out of his medical office located in Fair Lawn. During his practice, he reportedly prescribed high doses of opioids—including oxycodone and promethazine with codeine—without any legitimate medical purpose.

Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra is said to have issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, with instances of him writing more than 50 prescriptions in a single day. Allegations from multiple former employees indicate that Kalra had a pattern of sexual misconduct involving female patients, reportedly pressuring them into sexual acts in exchange for their prescriptions. One patient has accused him of sexual assault on multiple occasions during clinical visits, including incidents of forced anal sex.

In addition to the sexual allegations, Kalra has been accused of billing Medicaid for nonexistent visits and counseling sessions. The investigation revealed that his electronic medical records included false progress notes and fabricated dates of service, with detailed notes that lacked vital signs documentation and were largely repetitive. Each count of distributing controlled substances carries a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Counts of healthcare fraud carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fines of $250,000 or double the financial gain or loss incurred as a result of the offense.

Kalra’s attorney has publicly denied the allegations against him, calling the charges baseless and inflammatory. The attorney has likened the government’s announcement to material found in “a supermarket tabloid.” The case shines a light on the ongoing issue of the opioid epidemic in the United States, illustrating the exploitation that some patients battling addiction may face from medical professionals.

This incident raises significant concerns about patient safety and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. The fallout from Kalra’s alleged actions continues to impact the community, prompting discussions about the safeguards in place to protect patients and the integrity of medical practices.