The founder and former CEO of New Hampshire’s largest network of addiction centers was arrested Friday after federal prosecutors say he orchestrated a conspiracy to stalk and harass local journalists in retaliation for unfavorable reporting.
The Justice Department announced the charges against Eric Spofford, 40, who founded the for-profit drug and alcohol treatment company Granite Recovery Centers, in a Friday press release.
That year, NHPR reported multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, abusive leadership and retaliation by Spofford during his time as CEO of the addiction center.
Spofford denied the allegations and later filed a defamation lawsuit against the outlet, officials said.
The journalist who reported the investigation, Lauren Chooljian, did not immediately return a request for comment.
Federal prosecutors say the founder and former CEO of the largest network of addiction centers in New Hampshire planned to harass and stalk local journalists in retaliation for negative coverage, leading to his arrest on Friday.
In a press release on Friday, the Justice Department revealed the charges against 40-year-old Eric Spofford, the founder of Granite Recovery Centers, a for-profit drug and alcohol treatment facility.
Indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit stalking through interstate travel and using a facility of interstate commerce, one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce, and two counts of stalking through interstate travel, according to the prosecution, Spofford resides in Miami, Florida, and Salem, New Hampshire.
According to authorities, Spofford allegedly planned to intimidate and harass a reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio, her close relatives, and a senior editor at the station from March 2022 to at least May 2022 in retaliation for the reporting done by the organization.
In that year, Spofford was accused by NHPR of sexual misconduct, abusive leadership, and retaliation while serving as the addiction center’s CEO. According to authorities, Spofford later sued the outlet for defamation after refuting the accusations. NHPR reported that a judge dismissed Spofford’s lawsuit.
Spofford paid his close friend $20,000, according to the prosecution, to spray-paint the victims’ homes with “lewd and threatening language” and toss big rocks and bricks at their residences at night. “”.
According to prosecutors, three other people who are incarcerated for their roles in the harassment scheme helped Spofford’s friend.
“Attacks on journalists have no place in American life,” said Jim Schachter, president and CEO of NHPR, in a statement on X, thanking the Justice Department. “.”.
“Like all attempts to suppress press freedom, his attempt to silence our reporting failed,” he wrote.
Lauren Chooljian, the journalist who covered the investigation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to prosecutors, Spofford faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
A spokesperson for Spofford was not immediately available for comment.
“He has nothing to do with the company,” a Granite Recovery Centers representative stated over the phone, adding that Spofford sold the business three years ago. “.”.
According to officials, Spofford will make an appearance on June 2 in federal court in Boston.
