Ritesh Kalra, an Indian-origin New Jersey doctor, has been charged with multiple medical frauds, including the distribution of opioids without any legitimate medical purpose, billing the visits that never happened. Kalra also solicited sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions. According to DOJ documents, Kalwa is now on home arrest and is also prohibited from practicing medicine and prescribing medication and will be required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending.
Opioid prescriptions without medical purpose
Dr Kalra allegedly operated a pill mill out of his medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids—including oxycodone—and promethazine with codeine to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions.
Sexual favors for opioid prescription
Several of Kalra’s former employees claimed that female patients complained that Kalra touched them sexually and demanded sexual favors of them, including oral sex, in order to obtain their prescriptions. One patient even claimed she was forced to do anal sex during her clinical appointments. Another patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra when the patient was incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility and had no contact with Kalra.
False bills for in-person visits that never happened
Kalra also allegedly billed for in-person visits and counseling sessions that never occurred. As part of the health care fraud scheme, Kalra’s electronic medical records allegedly contained false progress notes listing fabricated dates of service, and included examination notes that were generally identical from visit to visit and did not record vital signs.US attorney Alina Habba said Dr Kalsa used the position of responsibility held by physicians to fuel addiction among his patients. “Physicians hold a position of profound responsibility—but as alleged, Dr. Kalra used that position to fuel addiction, exploit vulnerable patients for sex, and defraud New Jersey’s public healthcare program. By allegedly exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors and billing Medicaid for ghost appointments, he not only violated the law but endangered lives. Our Office will continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification,” Alina Habba said.
