The 13th Step

2: The God of Recovery

The 13th Step

Show Notes

As Eric Spofford tells it, he spent his teen years in the throes of addiction and crime. When he got sober, he became a crusader for recovery. We hear how he built his company – and his power. And we hear allegations that he abused that power by sexually assaulting members of his own staff.

The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org.

Nearly all the music in this podcast was written by Jason Moon. At the top of this episode, we used an excerpt of a track by “grapes” featuring J. Lang and Morusque. It’s called “I dunno.”

To support investigative journalism like The 13th Step at NHPR, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from The 13th Step

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Introducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer. Nobody seems to know much about this so-called forever chemical, which is weird because… this has all happened before.

Jun 9, 2025

Federal prosecutors now say the vandalism scheme was Eric Spofford’s idea all along. Spofford appears in federal court, and Lauren explains what this remarkable moment means for her and her sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 2024

A federal judge sentences Eric Labarge, the man who pled guilty to orchestrating the vandalism in retaliation for our reporting on Labarge’s friend, Eric Spofford. Lauren explains what went down in the courtroom – and how she navigated the experience as both a journalist and a victim of this crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 5, 2024

New Hampshire lawmakers consider a new oversight bill proposed in response to the podcast. And the judge issues his final ruling in Eric Spofford’s defamation lawsuit against NHPR and three of our sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 2023

Federal prosecutors have charged a fourth person in the vandalism case, a man they describe as a “close, personal associate” of Eric Spofford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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