A former St. Louis County, Missouri pediatrician was sentenced March 25, 2026, to 20 years in federal prison for illegally distributing controlled substances to at least 19 patients in exchange for sexual acts, nude photographs, or cash, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration press release.
Craig A. Spiegel, 70, exploited his position from at least 2014 through May 2023. Rather than referring patients with substance use disorder to treatment, Spiegel prescribed “astronomical amount of drugs,” in dangerous combinations of addictive drugs to those patients, Assistant US Attorney Amy Sestric stated in court. Spiegel also pressured and harassed reluctant patients via text messages and was sexually violent with at least one patient.
Spiegel admitted prescribing controlled substances to co-defendant April Bingham in exchange for sexual favors, with knowledge that Bingham was both selling some of the drugs and living with addiction. He prescribed drugs to Bingham under the names of friends and relatives to exploit their insurance benefits. Bingham, 48, subsequently introduced Spiegel to additional patients who paid him or performed sex acts in exchange for controlled substances. Bingham pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and was sentenced in 2024 to 21 months in prison.
Spiegel pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count each of illegal distribution of controlled substances, making false statements related to health care matters, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Medicare, Missouri Medicaid, and Illinois Medicaid sustained losses totaling $114,480 as a result of Spiegel's illegal prescription practices; Judge John A. Ross ordered full repayment. Spiegel additionally lied under oath during an April 2025 hearing, falsely claiming he had not authorized a search of his cellular phone prior to data extraction by investigators.
The case was investigated by the Bridgeton Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, and the Missouri Attorney General's Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant US Attorneys Amy Sestric and Jonathan Clow prosecuted the case.
"He knowingly exploited patients struggling with addiction, not to treat them, but to keep them dependent," said FBI St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker. "Spiegel didn't just violate his oath as a physician, he preyed on vulnerable women and put their lives at serious risk of overdose."
Patients with concerns about Spiegel are directed to contact HHS-OIG at 800-447-8477.
Source: DEA