A former pediatrician from St. Louis County, Missouri, Craig A. Spiegel, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal distribution of controlled substances and other offenses. According to court documents, Spiegel admitted to writing prescriptions for pain pills and other controlled substances in exchange for sex acts, nude photos, or cash.
Spiegel, 69, also acknowledged that he lied during a previous court hearing by falsely accusing police officers of misconduct. He pleaded guilty to one count each of illegal distribution of controlled substances, making false statements related to health care matters, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
As part of his plea agreement, Spiegel admitted that he began issuing unlawful prescriptions as early as 2014 and continued through May 2023. He wrote prescriptions for adult women with no legitimate medical purpose. Many recipients had substance use disorders and were at risk due to the prescriptions they received. In several instances, Spiegel was previously the pediatrician for these women when they were children.
Spiegel confessed that he provided pain pills or Adderall in exchange for sex acts or nude photos from one woman at his pediatrics office in Bridgeton or elsewhere. Another woman received multiple types of prescription drugs from him despite her severe substance use disorder and high risk of overdose. Spiegel further admitted pressuring women into providing sexual favors or explicit images.
He also prescribed controlled substances to April Bingham, his co-defendant, knowing she was addicted and selling some of the drugs. Prescriptions were sometimes issued under names belonging to Bingham’s ex-husband, mother, or friends so their insurance benefits could be used fraudulently. Bingham introduced others who either paid Spiegel or engaged in sex acts in return for prescriptions.
The fraudulent activities resulted in losses totaling $114,480 for Medicare as well as Missouri and Illinois Medicaid programs.
In addition to drug-related offenses, Spiegel admitted lying under oath during an April 2025 federal court hearing regarding a search of his cell phone by investigators from the Bridgeton Police Department.
Sentencing is set for March 24, 2026. The conspiracy and illegal distribution charges each carry potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine; making false statements carries up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Bingham previously pleaded guilty on the conspiracy charge and was sentenced in 2024 to 21 months in prison.
Individuals concerned about Dr. Spiegel are encouraged to contact the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 800-447-8477.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Bridgeton Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; HHS-OIG; FBI; and Missouri Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Sestric and Jonathan Clow are prosecuting the case.
