Judge Hears Arguments in Case Alleging NHPR Defamed Former NH Drug Recovery Leader
Preti Flaherty Media Law attorney Sig Schutz is defending New Hampshire Public Radio’s First Amendment interests in a pending defamation case brought by the founder and former owner of New Hampshire-based Granite Recovery Centers. On January 31, 2023, lawyers for the high-profile entrepreneur appeared before Rockingham County Superior Court Judge Dan St. Hilaire to argue that their client's case should proceed to trial. Judge St. Hilaire has yet to decide if the case will be dismissed.
An Excerpt
NHPR’s attorney Sigmund Schutz defended the station’s reporting methods for the investigation as “careful, meticulously sourced, and comprehensive.” Spofford “can deny that these accusations are true, but he can’t deny that the accusations were in fact made,” said Schutz . . . warning that lawsuits deter “people from coming forward, not just with regard to Mr. Spofford, but regarding any public figure who has the resources to engage in this kind of no holds barred litigation.”