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NHPR

An investigation into the widespread culture of sexual misconduct and abuse persistent in the addiction treatment industry.

The 13th Step

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.

Feds Arrest Eric Spofford

The Sentencing

A New Bill and a Final Ruling

Federal prosecutors have charged a fourth person in the vandalism case, a man they describe as a “close, personal associate” of Eric Spofford.

A Big Arrest

Federal prosecutors have charged three men for their alleged roles in the vandalism incidents. According to the feds, the vandalism was "solicited" by a "close, personal associate" of Eric Spofford's. Reporter Jason Moon goes to the arraignment at a Boston courthouse and tells Lauren what happened.

Vandalism Arrests

A conversation with one of the women whose story of sexual assault you heard earlier in this podcast. She talks with Lauren about what it was like to hear her story published, the legal threats she has faced from Eric Spofford and his lawyers, and why she decided to speak out in the first place.

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

Epilogue: Employee A

Since Lauren began reporting, Eric Spofford sold his New Hampshire company for millions of dollars and filed a defamation lawsuit in response to NHPR’s coverage. We catch you up on everything that’s happened. And we introduce you to a sober living community where addressing women’s sexual trauma is a priority.

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

The Glam Room

What does it take to catch a predator in the addiction treatment industry? We hear about a case in California where the CEO of a network of treatment facilities was convicted of sexual assault and massive insurance fraud. It required years of work – and two women who banded together and refused to give up.

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

The Litter Police

How did 13th stepping become so common in the recovery world and who can hold people accountable? Lauren looks into the history of the addiction treatment industry; goes in search of the people, government agencies, and industry groups that are supposed to oversee it; and does a deep dive into its most pervasive cultural force: AA and the 12 steps. She finds a lot of good intentions, alongside a lot of problems.

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

To support investigative journalism like The 13th Step at NHPR, click here.

A Wild (Wild?) West

In March of 2022, Lauren publishes her first story detailing allegations against Eric Spofford. The events of the next several months illustrate the ways powerful, wealthy people can intimidate sources and try to stop journalism from happening. And then, there was the vandalism… 

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

A New Bill and a Final Ruling

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