Federal Agents Allege Addiction Mogul Hired Crew to Threaten & Stalk Journalists

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Recovery CEO Goes Off the Rails

In a stunning twist that reads more like a conspiracy thriller than a nonprofit legal battle, federal authorities announced on Friday the arrest of Eric Spofford, the former CEO of Granite Recovery Centers, on charges of orchestrating a plot to stalk journalists. 

The Department of Justice revealed that Spofford, 40, allegedly targeted reporters from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) after an investigative article detailed multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him during his tenure running the state’s largest addiction treatment network.

From Heroin to Boardroom—and Now, the Hot Seat

Spofford’s rise to prominence is itself a rags-to-riches tale. 

After battling heroin addiction, he founded Granite Recovery Centers, which grew into the preeminent network of drug and alcohol treatment facilities in New Hampshire. 

In 2021, he sold the enterprise for a reported nine-figure sum, cementing his status as a key figure in the addiction treatment industry. 

Yet, the good-news story took a dark turn in early 2022 when NHPR published an exposé that reportedly laid bare multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by Spofford.

“Hit Piece” Claims and a Defamation Suit

In the wake of the NHPR investigation, Spofford publicly denied the allegations and launched a defamation lawsuit against the public radio station, branding the article a “hit piece.” 

He argued in court filings that the report had cost him business relationships—financial institutions refused to work with him, vendors severed ties, and political allies in Concord kept their distance. 

“I didn’t feel comfortable in my home state after the investigation was published,” Spofford wrote in his complaint. 

However, a New Hampshire judge dismissed his lawsuit in 2023, ruling that Spofford had failed to substantiate claims of malicious intent.

DOJ: A “Plan to Harass and Terrorize”

According to the Department of Justice, Spofford hatched a sinister plan in or about March 2022 to intimidate the NHPR reporter, her family members, and a senior editor, all in retaliation for the station’s coverage. 

Spofford allegedly enlisted his close friend, Eric Labarge, to vandalize and spray-paint the victims’ homes with large rocks, bricks, and “lewd and threatening language.” 

In chilling detail, DOJ officials noted that one home was emblazoned with the message “JUST THE BEGINNING.”

 

A Paid Crew of Harassers

The conspiracy deepened as Labarge purportedly turned around and recruited at least three other individuals—Tucker Cockerline, Keenan Saniatan, and Michael Waselchuck—to execute the campaign of terror. 

The ringleader, Labarge, is accused of receiving $20,000 in cash from Spofford, along with the victims’ addresses and “directions on how to harass them.” 

Each of Labarge’s associates was later arrested, tried, and convicted for their roles in the harassment—receiving prison sentences for stalking and conspiracy.

“Attacks on Journalists Have No Place in American Life”

NHPR’s President and CEO, Jim Schachter, praised federal authorities for their swift action. 

In a statement to CBS News, he asserted:

“Attacks on journalists have no place in American life. His attempt to silence NHPR’s reporting on abuses of power in the addiction recovery industry failed, as should every attempt to snuff out press freedom.”

Schachter emphasized that the station is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for pursuing the matter. 

Indeed, the federal indictment paints a stark picture of how conflict between media scrutiny and wealthy defendants can escalate into criminal intimidation.

Spofford Faces Federal Court

On Monday, Spofford is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Boston, where he will face charges including conspiracy to stalk and harassment of federal crime victims. 

If convicted, he could face significant prison time, alongside potential asset forfeiture. 

CBS News reported that calls to Spofford’s attorney went unanswered as of Friday’s announcement.

Fallout and Wider Implications

The case underscores a growing concern about threats to press freedom and the lengths to which individuals will go to avert negative publicity. 

Granite Recovery Centers, once heralded as a leader in addiction treatment, now finds its legacy marred by the alleged misconduct of its founder. 

Meanwhile, NHPR’s watchdog reporting has spotlighted not only Spofford’s alleged crimes but broader questions about accountability and transparency within recovery centers.

As the legal process unfolds, the clash between a media outlet’s duty to investigate and a powerful entrepreneur’s attempts to quash unfavorable reporting will remain a cautionary tale.

It reminds us that in the battle for truth, no one is above scrutiny, and the press must be protected from intimidation.

 

 Please support my writing by donating $1 at https://buymeacoffee.com/doublejeopardynews

 

  1. #SpoffordStalkTrial

  2. #GraniteRecoveryScandal

  3. #NHPRHarassment

  4. #JusticeForJournalists

  5. #PressFreedom

  6. #PaidToHarass

  7. #BPOBribePlot

  8. #SquashTheScandal

  9. #AttackOnMedia

  10. #EricSporffordArrested

  11. #JournalistSafety

  12. #HarassmentConspiracy

  13. #BostonCourtCase

  14. #RecoveryCenterRogue

  15. #DoJAction

 

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