Related Federal Cases
- Elmostafa Charif, Designer Drug Trafficking, New Jersey 2024 · Massachusetts
- Preston J. Thomas, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, New Jersey 2024 · Virginia
- Jesus Raul Iribe, Cocaine Trafficking, New Jersey 2023 · New York
- HHS-OIG Exposes Treatment Gaps, Opioid Epidemic, Nationwide, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Satveer Saini, Firearm Trafficking, California 2023 · Alabama
New Jersey Doctor Charged with Distributing Opioids in Exchange for Sexual Favors
NEWARK, N.J. – Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician from Secaucus, New Jersey, has been charged with distributing opioids without a legitimate medical purpose, soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, and defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for visits that never happened.
According to the U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Kalra made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court and was released on home incarceration and an unsecured $100,000 bond. He is also prohibited from practicing medicine and prescribing medication and will be required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Kalra is charged with 3 counts of distributing opioids outside the usual course of professional practice, not for a legitimate medical purpose, and in exchange for sexual favors, and 2 counts of healthcare fraud. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG.
Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions. Several of Kalra’s former employees reported that female patients complained that Kalra touched them sexually and demanded sexual favors of them, including oral sex, in order to obtain their prescriptions.
“When we seek medical advice and treatment from doctors, we have to assume they have our best interests in mind. This investigation, conducted by the FBI and our partners, illustrates that Dr. Kalra had little regard for actually taking care of his patients. As alleged, he instead used them for his sexual gratification and, in the process, defrauded the state of New Jersey,” stated Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.
Ritesh Kalra, the defendant, will be required to appear in court again on [TBD]. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification.
According to the complaint, Kalra 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. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone who may be a victim or knows someone who was treated by Dr. Kalra is asked to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The case highlights the dangers of opioid trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable patients by corrupt medical professionals.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
