Coeur d'Alene surgeon pleads not guilty to voyeurism

COEUR d’ALENE — The case of an orthopedic surgeon accused of hiding a camera in a staff bathroom at his medical office is headed for trial early next year.

Spencer Greendyke, 68, pleaded not guilty Friday morning to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child by preparation of sexually exploitative material and eight counts of video voyeurism, all felonies. 

A five-day trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 3, 2025. 

The charges stem from March, 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. All known victims have been identified. 

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 Idaho, sexual exploitation of a child by preparation of sexually exploitative material is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while video voyeurism carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

Greendyke is also facing a civil lawsuit from 16 anonymous plaintiffs, including former employees, as well as the spouses and children of the former employees. Greendyke’s wife and medical practice are also named in the suit. 

The civil complaint alleges that Greendyke “placed hidden cameras in the office in sensitive areas, surreptitiously taking video and audio recording” without the knowledge of the people being recorded, according to court records. This behavior allegedly began as early as 2005. 

The plaintiffs have requested a jury trial and are seeking awards of more than $10,000 for economic and non-economic damages.