Fair Lawn, New Jersey-based internist Dr. Ritesh Kalra has been charged with a number of federal offenses. Among these are illegal distribution of controlled substances and health care fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kalra is alleged to have prescribed more than 31,000 doses of opioids, mostly oxycodone, and between January 2019 and February 2025 had issued as much as 50 prescriptions daily. According to the complaint, on every record, he would authorize an average of 450mg of oxycodone within an overall daily limit for a single patient.
The prescriptions included promethazine with codeine and oxycodone, a powerful opioid with a high risk of addiction and abuse, the Attorney’s office said.
According to multiple sites, including Zocdoc and Doximity, Kalra graduated from the Medical University of Silesia in Zabrze, Poland. He has over twenty years in the medical profession and has cared for patients for their primary care and internal medicine needs. The US Attorney press release charges the internist with a five-count Complaint, three counts of unauthorized distribution of opioids and two counts of health care fraud, according to the press release. The Statement Added That He Also Allegedly Grew His Billing for Online Visits and Counselling Sessions That Did Not Take Place. Moreover, the above-mentioned physician has also been charged for sexually exploiting his victims for fake prescription medicines and from whom he had given medicines.
Sexual Misconduct and Prescription Abuse
Kalra was also accused of the very serious crime of coercing female patients into sexual favors in exchange for medications besides his fraudulent prescribing practices. According to former staff members, many patients have already come out complaining about incidents of unwarranted touching and sexual demands during clinical visits. Another woman reported being groped multiple times during her doctor’s appointments, including on one occasion an alleged coerced anal penetration.
Charges and Legal Consequences
Kalra has been subjected to a criminal complaint by federal prosecutors comprising five different counts. Three counts relate to the illegal distribution of opioids, while the two remaining counts pertain to fraudulent billing. The punishment for these charges is severe; narcotic distribution without authorization could mean up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of $1 million, and healthcare fraud charges could mean 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The investigation also found fraudulent billing; for instance, it was found to have submitted claims for counseling sessions and in-person consultations that never, in fact, ever occurred. Some prescriptions were issued to persons already incarcerated in county facilities despite never having any contact with Kalra at the time.
Judicial Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Kalra, who appeared in federal court in Newark, is out on house arrest for posting an unsecured bond worth $1 million. His medical practice has been suspended pending the outcome of the case. Kalra’s lawyer, Michael Baldassare, conducted a press conference stating that the allegations were refuted and that the government’s case was grossly exaggerated and inflammatory.
He is currently released and is under house arrest after submitting an unsecured bond of $1,000,00. Kalra’s attorney, Michael Baldassar, has denied the accusations and said that the government press release reads like a supermarket tabloid, the New York Daily News reported.
Professional History and Past Disputes
Though Kalra has had a long-standing career, past legal records show that he has been involved in a few previous financial disputes. In particular, a New Jersey court ordered Kalra in 2016 to pay an employee an amount of $12,000 for unpaid wages from the year 2013.
As the case progresses, it is significant to point out here that until proven otherwise or adjudicated in court, all allegations against him remain unproven. Kalra is presumed innocent as per US law.
