A former St. Louis County pediatrician admitted in federal court Thursday that he spent nearly a decade running an illegal prescription scheme, trading highly addictive opioids and stimulants for sex acts, nude photos, and cash.
Craig A. Spiegel, 69, pleaded guilty to charges including illegal distribution of controlled substances, health care fraud, and conspiracy. According to his plea agreement, the abuse of power was often personal: Spiegel knew many of the women he exploited because he had served as their pediatrician when they were children.
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Federal prosecutors detailed a disturbing pattern of behavior running from at least 2014 through May 2023. Spiegel admitted to writing medically unnecessary prescriptions for adult women in exchange for sexual favors, which typically took place at his medical office in Bridgeton.
In several instances, Spiegel acknowledged he knew the women suffered from severe substance use disorders. Despite knowing the risks—including the high potential for overdose—he continued to provide them with opioids, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxers, and Adderall. He also admitted to pressuring women into sex acts or demanding nude photographs to secure their prescriptions.
The scheme extended beyond direct exchanges. Spiegel admitted to conspiring with a co-defendant, 48-year-old April Bingham, to whom he also prescribed controlled substances in exchange for sex. Spiegel knew Bingham was addicted to the drugs and was selling some of them. To further the operation, he wrote prescriptions in the names of Bingham’s ex-husband, mother, and friends to exploit their insurance benefits.
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This fraudulent activity cost Medicare and Medicaid programs in Missouri and Illinois nearly $115,000. Bingham previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 21 months in prison in 2024.
Spiegel’s legal troubles were compounded by his attempt to derail the investigation with perjury. He admitted Thursday to lying under oath during an April 2025 suppression hearing. At the time, Spiegel falsely claimed he had not consented to a search of his cell phone until after police had already extracted data, an effort to frame Bridgeton police officers for misconduct.
Spiegel is scheduled for sentencing on March 24, 2026. He faces significant prison time, with the conspiracy and distribution charges carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years each, plus potential fines totaling millions of dollars. The perjury charge carries an additional maximum sentence of five years.
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