A preliminary examination is conducted to see if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and if the case should be remanded to Circuit Court. Steiger has been charged with one count of obtaining a prescription for controlled substances from a health care provider by fraud.

The charge of “doctor shopping” comes as the result of a Huron Undercover Narcotics Team and Michigan State Police investigation into Steiger’s alleged activities of obtaining narcotics prescriptions from multiple physicians. Steiger, who vehemently denies the accusations, was arraigned Dec. 28 in Alpena County. He is being represented by Alpena attorney Dan White.

The reason for the date change was not available. White was out of the office until today and the Attorney General’s office did not respond to an inquiry. The felony charge carries a maximum four-year sentence.