NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey physician has been charged in a sweeping 58-count federal indictment accusing him of operating an opioid “pill mill,” exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors, and defrauding the state’s Medicaid program over several years, U.S. prosecutors said.
Ritesh Kalra, 52, of Secaucus, New Jersey, was indicted on charges including unlawful distribution of opioids, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and health care fraud. An internist by training, Kalra appeared for arraignment and an initial court appearance this week in federal court in Newark.
Kalra was previously charged by criminal complaint in July 2025. The latest grand jury indictment adds multiple counts and expands the scope of the allegations.
Federal investigators allege that from January 2019 through February 2025, Kalra routinely prescribed high-dose opioids without a legitimate medical purpose. Prosecutors said he issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone during that period, including on days when he wrote more than 50 prescriptions.
According to court documents, Kalra ran a pill mill out of his medical office, prescribing oxycodone and promethazine with codeine outside the usual course of professional practice. Several former employees told investigators that female patients complained Kalra touched them sexually and demanded sexual favors in exchange for opioid prescriptions.
One patient told authorities she was sexually assaulted by Kalra on multiple occasions, including forced anal sex during clinical appointments, according to statements made in court. Another patient allegedly continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra while incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility, despite having no contact with him.
“Doctors know the devastation opioid addiction can wreak when left unchecked,” said FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. “Allegedly, Dr. Kalra used his position of power for financial gain, fabricating fake appointments, and in some cases, demanding sexual favors in return for prescriptions.”
In addition to the drug distribution allegations, prosecutors said Kalra defrauded the New Jersey Medicaid program by billing for office visits that never occurred.
Each of the 36 opioid distribution counts carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of maintaining a drug-involved premises is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Each of the 21 health care fraud counts carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense. (Source: IANS)
