By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org
The Lebanon Police prosecutor who was put on paid administrative leave last year amid a criminal investigation, Lt. Richard Smolenski, was charged this week with misdemeanor stalking.
Smolenski, 43, was arrested Thursday at his Bridgewater home by a Grafton County Sheriff’s deputy, wrapping up an investigation that saw Smolenski and another Lebanon officer put on paid administrative leave. Senior Officer Paul Gifford was investigated in relation to the case, but according to the affidavit filed in court, it appears Smolenski allegedly impersonated Gifford online in order to further harass the alleged victim, who is also a law enforcement officer.
Lebanon Police Chief Phil Roberts said Friday his department is out of the loop on the charges and investigative findings. He said Gifford was still on administrative leave pending further communication with the Grafton County Sheriff’s Department. Grafton County Sheriff Jeffrey Stiegler said Friday that charges were brought against Smolenski, but not against Gifford. He declined to discuss the case further.
Smolenski allegedly harassed Nicole Cremo, 33, a Grafton County Corrections lieutenant, after Smolenski’s wife discovered their relationship, according to the affidavit written by Grafton County Sheriff’s Lt. Frederic James. Cremo said Friday she was still coming to grips with the situation.
“I don’t really want to comment at this point, I’m still processing all of this,” Cremo said.
Cremo and Smolenski had been involved in an on again, off afgain relationship for 2017 to 2020, according to James’ affidavit. After Smolenski’s wife discovered a photo of Cremo in his email, Smolenski started demanding that she lie to his wife about their past relationship, according to the affidavit.
Between March and May of last year, Smolenski began sending messages to Cremo demanding that she lie to his wife or face him releasing intimate photos of her, according to the affidavit. Smolenski threatened to contact her family, her employers, and the Grafton County Commissioners if she did not comply, the affidavit said.
Cremo also expressed to James that she feared Cremo, a veteran law enforcement officer who had also served in the military, according to the affidavit.
During his alleged campaign of harassment, Smolenski used multiple social media accounts to target Cremo and at one point allegedly created an account using Gifford’s identity in order to continue harassing Cremo on social media, according to the affidavit.
Smolenski is charged with misdemeanor stalking in the Lebanon District Court. He was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay at least 300 feet away from Cremo, according to court records.
Smolenki’s suspension last year garnered attention from the American Civil Liberties Union-NH. Smolenski is a target of longtime efforts by Scott Traudt to obtain information from confidential personnel records he believes reveals evidence favorable to him that should have been turned over before his trial for assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop 13 years ago.