'Pedo' pediatrician prescribed drugs to dozens of women in exchange for sex and cash in Missouri - and at least one of his victims was a child, charges say

A Missouri pediatrician has been accused of pressuring women into having sex in exchange for prescription pills.

Dr Craig Spiegel, 67, is alleged to have illegally written 1,200 fake prescriptions for at least 25 patients from 2014 through 2022, many of whom he knew were drug addicts or had treated when they were minors. 

In return, Spiegel, a husband and father, demanded cash or sexual favors, according to a Missouri lawsuit filed in federal court.  

The complaint includes details of manipulating women to perform oral sex and other favors in exchange for Xanax, Oxycodone, and other drugs, to send explicit photos, and was 'inappropriate' with at least one of his child patients during an exam. 

Dr Spiegel has been accused of molesting one of his patients, a little girl. He has been a practicing pediatrician for about 30 years

Dr Spiegel is alleged to have pressured women he had treated as children into sex in exchange for prescription drugs including Xanax and opioids

If convicted of illegal distribution of a controlled substance, Dr Spiegel could face up to 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors wrote in a complaint in a federal court that Dr Speigel distributed ‘over 73,000 controlled substance pills’ to at least 25 individuals, though the complaint also said the number of people he's illicitly provided pills to is probably higher.

Adderall, oxycodone and Xanax were among the drugs prescribed by Spiegel in exchange for sexual acts.

Women reported that he often guilted them into sex, saying things like ‘you owe me big time’ for handing out the scripts.

He instructed a woman to ‘[w]ear fewer layers’ at an upcoming meeting. In another instance, he texted that he would send her prescriptions ‘assuming [she] would hold up [her] end.’

He is listed online as practicing medicine at SSM Health DePaul Hospital-St. Louis

Another woman alleged that the doctor became violent with her while forcing her to perform oral sex on him in a public bathroom, though further details laid out in court documents are not publicly available. 

Another woman identified only as C.S. in the complaint was introduced to the doctor through a friend who promised he would fill any prescription in exchange for a 'hand job' while topless. 

C.S. subsequently received prescriptions for painkillers and stimulants from Dr Spiegel on multiple occasions through this arrangement. 

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New Jersey doctor Robert Delagente, 45, has pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled dangerous substances, conspiracy and falsifying medical records for dolling out opioids to patients. 

And a child said he was inappropriate with her during an exam, according to the charges, though additional details were not made available. 

According to court documents, he had a track record of doling out the pills to patients he knew had addiction issues, including one called N.L. in the affidavit. She died of an overdose in 2022.

Later, prosecutors say, evidence showed that he had manipulated her for years, texting her one day: ‘Surprise surprise. No pictures!!’

He later added: ‘I guess there is no point in getting upset. Our interaction is usually a one-way street. I do the things that I promised. You promise much, but seldom follow through. I am not sure why you waste your breath promising anything.’

Spiegel has been a physician in the area for more than thirty years and holds an honorary position on the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine. 

He is listed online as practicing medicine at SSM Health DePaul Hospital-St. Louis.

Even after N.L. died, he continued his illegal scheme. According to prosecutors, Spiegel is ‘undeterred by any consequence to his actions.’

The charges, they say, are ‘extraordinarily serious.’

A federal judge will determine whether Spiegel can be allowed to remain free on bond while his case progresses through the court, or if he should be incarcerated immediately.

Prosecutors argue that allowing him to go free would present the risk of him fleeing the state and said there are ‘no conditions’ on which he should be allowed to be released on bond.