The 13th Step: Feds Arrest Eric Spofford

Federal Indictment and Arrest of a High-Profile Addiction Treatment Founder

This episode recounts the arrest and federal indictment of Eric Spofford, founder and former CEO of a major New England addiction treatment provider. After years of reporting that documented sexual harassment and assault allegations, prosecutors allege Spofford orchestrated a campaign of vandalism and intimidation against journalists and their families who investigated his organizations.

How investigators say the harassment unfolded: evidence and alleged payments

Federal prosecutors describe a pattern in which Spofford allegedly met with a close associate and provided specific instructions for attacks, including addresses and instructions to use bricks and red spray paint. The indictment alleges two $10,000 payments were made to coordinate the vandalism. Several perpetrators have pleaded guilty and received prison sentences, and the new charges name Spofford as the one who directed the conduct.

Courtroom moments and release conditions after federal arraignment

Listeners hear a firsthand account of the Maine-to-Boston arrest, arraignment, and the courtroom scene where Spofford pleaded not guilty. The judge set strict conditions for release, including a million-dollar bond, travel and curfew limitations, weapon prohibitions, monitored location, and explicit no-contact orders for journalists, sources, and family members.

Survivor reactions and the broader impact on the recovery community

The episode highlights the complicated responses from women who reported sexual misconduct and from former employees. Some expressed relief and a sense of vindication; others felt trauma resurfacing and frustration that criminal charges in that arena have not been resolved. Sources describe a once-celebrated recovery leader whose alleged behavior created a culture of fear and silence.

The role of investigative reporting in prompting accountability

Producers outline how persistent reporting by The Thirteenth Step and New Hampshire Public Radio brought allegations into the public record, triggered civil and criminal legal actions, and exposed methods used to intimidate journalists. The story emphasizes the risks reporters face and the long legal and emotional arc survivors and reporters endure.

What listeners can take away from the case development

The episode serves as both a procedural update and a human story: it documents alleged wrongdoing, reveals how intimidation tactics can be coordinated, and centers survivors' complex emotions. It also documents the steps the justice system has taken so far, while making clear that legal processes are ongoing and outcomes remain uncertain.

For more information, listeners are encouraged to refer to the full federal indictment and the complete Thirteenth Step series to follow ongoing developments and learn how the reporting unfolded.