News Summary
Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician in Newark, New Jersey, has been charged with sexual exploitation of patients and Medicaid fraud. Accusations include soliciting sexual favors for prescriptions and issuing over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions with little medical evaluation. The doctor is currently under home detention and faces five federal charges, including illegal drug distribution and healthcare fraud. If convicted, he could face substantial prison time and hefty fines. This case highlights significant issues of abuse and misconduct in medical practices.
Newark, New Jersey — Indian-Origin Doctor Charged with Sexual Exploitation and Medicaid Fraud
In Newark, New Jersey, Dr. Ritesh Kalra, a 51-year-old physician of Indian descent, faces serious legal allegations involving sexual misconduct and health care fraud. The authorities have charged him with multiple offenses, including soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for medical prescriptions and defrauding Medicaid through false billing practices. As a result of the charges, his medical practice has been ordered to cease operations pending the outcome of the case.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
Dr. Kalra is currently under home detention and is prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing medications. He faces a total of five federal charges: three related to illegal drug distribution and two connected to healthcare fraud. If convicted, each drug distribution charge could carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, while each healthcare fraud count could result in up to 10 years behind bars.
Allegations and Patient Reports
Multiple former employees reported disturbing misconduct concerning Dr. Kalra’s interactions with patients. Several female patients alleged that he engaged in sexual touching and demanded sexual favors, including oral sex, as a condition to receive prescriptions. One patient accused Kalra of multiple instances of sexual assault, including an incident involving forced anal sex during clinical appointments.
In addition, it was reported that despite being incarcerated, another patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra without any direct contact or consultation, raising concerns about ongoing illegal pharmaceutical activities.
Prescription and Billing Practices
Investigators uncovered evidence that Dr. Kalra issued over 31,000 oxycodone prescriptions between January 2019 and February 2025. Some days saw him writing more than 50 prescriptions in a single day. The prescriptions were allegedly issued with little or no medical evaluation, and records suggested that the doctor created fabricated progress notes and maintained duplicate or identical entries across multiple patient files without recording vital signs or other clinical data.
Furthermore, it was found that Kalra’s practice billed Medicaid for visits and counseling sessions that never actually took place, constituting a significant case of Medicaid fraud.
Legal Penalties and Government Response
If convicted, Dr. Kalra faces a potential fine of up to $1 million for each drug-related charge and at least $250,000 for each healthcare fraud count. The case has drawn condemnation from law enforcement officials, with a spokesperson from the FBI urging anyone who may have been affected or possess relevant information to come forward and contact authorities.
Background and Additional Context
This case spotlights issues surrounding prescription drug abuse and exploitation within medical practices. The investigation, led by federal agencies, highlights the importance of oversight and accountability in healthcare, especially when vulnerable patients are involved. The case remains active, and further details may emerge as proceedings continue.
Authorities continue to appeal for any potential victims or witnesses to come forward to ensure accountability and prevent further misconduct.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Newark Doctor Charged with Opioid Crimes and Patient Abuse
Additional Resources
- NDTV
- Wikipedia: Sexual Exploitation of Patients
- LiveMint
- Google Search: Ritesh Kalra
- Hindustan Times
- Google Scholar: Medical Fraud
- Times of India
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Healthcare Fraud
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VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, 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 Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
