Surgeon pleads guilty to voyeurism
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | January 24, 2025 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — An orthopedic surgeon pleaded guilty to hiding a camera in a bathroom at his medical office and secretly recording employees and their children.
Spencer Greendyke, 68, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to 11 counts of video voyeurism, all felonies. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
In exchange for Greendyke’s guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed three counts of sexual exploitation of a child by preparation of sexually exploitative material. The state also agreed to recommend that Greendyke receive a sentence of no more than 40 years in prison, though the court may hand down any sentence up to the maximum of 55 years in prison.
Because some of the video voyeurism charges involved child victims, Greendyke must register as a sex offender.
The charges stem from March of last year, when one of Greendyke’s employees contacted Coeur d’Alene police about digital storage devices at Greendyke’s medical office, River’s Edge Orthotics.
The devices contained video footage from “what appeared to be a hidden camera in a staff bathroom,” according to police, and showed adults and children in stages of undress.
After executing a search of Greendyke’s medical office and home, police seized evidentiary items and then obtained a $1.5 million warrant for the surgeon’s arrest. Greendyke turned himself in and later posted bail. As a condition of his release, he surrendered his passport and must remain in Idaho.
In addition to the criminal case, Greendyke is facing a civil lawsuit from 16 anonymous plaintiffs, including former employees, as well as the spouses and children of the former employees.
The civil complaint alleges that Greendyke “placed hidden cameras in the office in sensitive areas, surreptitiously taking video and audio recording” of the people being recorded.
Three plaintiffs further alleged that they were “constructively discharged” from their employment with Greendyke “based upon the unendurable working conditions.”
The civil lawsuit is not expected to go to trial before January 2026.
In the criminal matter, Greendyke is scheduled to be sentenced in April by First District Judge Ross Pittman.
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