Founding father of New Hampshire dependancy heart charged in scheme to intimidate journalists

The founder and former CEO of New Hampshire’s largest community of dependancy facilities was arrested Friday after federal prosecutors say he orchestrated a conspiracy to stalk and harass native journalists in retaliation for unfavorable reporting.

The Justice Division introduced the costs towards Eric Spofford, 40, who based the for-profit drug and alcohol therapy firm Granite Restoration Facilities, in a Friday press launch.

Prosecutors mentioned Spofford — who lives in each Salem, New Hampshire, and Miami, Florida — was indicted on one rely of conspiracy to commit stalking by means of interstate journey and utilizing a facility of interstate commerce; one rely of stalking utilizing a facility of interstate commerce; and two counts of stalking by means of interstate journey.

From March 2022 and persevering with by means of no less than Might 2022, Spofford allegedly devised a scheme to harass and terrorize a reporter employed by New Hampshire Public Radio, her speedy members of the family and a senior editor at NHPR in retaliation for the outlet’s reporting, officers mentioned.

That 12 months, NHPR reported a number of allegations of sexual misconduct, abusive management and retaliation by Spofford throughout his time as CEO of the dependancy heart. Spofford denied the allegations and later filed a defamation lawsuit towards the outlet, officers mentioned. A choose dismissed Spofford’s go well with, NHPR reported.

Prosecutors mentioned Spofford paid his shut pal $20,000 to throw giant rocks and bricks on the victims’ houses at evening and spray-paint the properties with “lewd and threatening language.”

Spofford’s pal was assisted by three others who’re at present in jail for his or her involvement within the harassment scheme, prosecutors mentioned.

Jim Schachter, the president and CEO of NHPR, thanked the Justice Division in an announcement on X and mentioned that “assaults on journalists haven’t any place in American life.”

“His try and silence our reporting failed, as ought to each try and snuff out press freedom,” he wrote.

The journalist who reported the investigation, Lauren Chooljian, didn’t instantly return a request for remark.

Every rely towards Spofford carries a potential sentence of as much as 5 years in jail, three years of supervised launch and a high quality of as much as $250,000, prosecutors mentioned.

An legal professional for Spofford couldn’t be instantly reached for remark.

A spokesperson for Granite Restoration Facilities mentioned in a cellphone name that Spofford offered the corporate three years in the past and that “he has nothing to do with the corporate.”

Officers mentioned Spofford will seem in federal courtroom in Boston on June 2.