ST. LOUIS – A former Bridgeton pediatrician accused of prescribing pain pills in exchange for sex acts has pleaded guilty.
For months, Dr. Craig A. Spiegel’s attorneys have tried to get the case thrown out, questioning whether the doctor really consented to a phone search. However, federal prosecutors proved former doctor lied to the judge about when he signed the consent form.
Spiegel, 69, was charged in March 2024 with 24 federal counts involving dozens of women, former patients he’d met in his practice as a pediatrician. A Bridgeton police investigation went to the federal level, with allegations the doctor cultivated relationships that turned sexual.
Detectives said they found evidence that Spiegel used pain pills to groom patients into sexual relationships, once those patients became adults.
Defense attorneys argued their client never gave police permission to search his phone containing evidence, and that there was no search warrant to begin with. Spiegel even went on the stand and testified to that. He has now admitted to lying under oath.
Spiegel only pleaded guilty to three of the 24 charges—one count of illegal distribution of controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and one of making false statements related to health care matters.
Spiegel will be sentenced on March 24, 2026. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each of the distribution and conspiracy charges, and an additional five years and a $250,000 fine for the charge of making false statements.