On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Union Leader reported that a panel of five judges was appointed to oversee the professional conduct case against New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. This development follows the recusal of her fellow justices from the case due to potential conflicts of interest.
The panel was established after the state Attorney Discipline Office recommended a formal proceeding to evaluate Hantz Marconi’s immediate suspension from practicing law. This recommendation came after she was indicted earlier in October on charges related to interference with a criminal investigation involving her husband, Geno Marconi, who is the executive director of the New Hampshire Port Authority.
According to court documents, Hantz Marconi’s attorney, Richard Guerriero, mentioned that Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald informed his client that she retains the right to address her concerns to the Governor, similar to any other citizen. Guerriero asserts that Hantz Marconi has committed no crimes, and she does not oppose the suspension pending the outcome of the proceedings.
The justices who recused themselves from the case include Chief Justice MacDonald, along with Justices James Bassett, Patrick Donovan, and Melissa Countway. To fill the vacancy, retired Superior Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau will participate in the case, as there are no retired Supreme Court justices available to do so. The remaining judges on the panel—Chief Justice Mark Howard and Associate Justices David Ruoff, Daniel St. Hilaire, and Michael Klass—were selected randomly from the Superior Court system.
Hantz Marconi, 68, from Stratham, faces serious allegations. A grand jury in Merrimack County has indicted her on two felony counts: attempt to commit improper influence and criminal solicitation of improper influence. Additionally, she has been charged with five misdemeanors, which include charges of criminal solicitation of official oppression and obstructing government administration.
In July, the state Supreme Court placed Hantz Marconi on administrative leave with pay for a period of 90 days, although the reasons for this action were not disclosed. Her husband, Geno Marconi, has also been on administrative leave with pay since April. Recently, he was indicted on multiple charges, including witness tampering and falsifying physical evidence.
If Hantz Marconi is convicted on the felony charges, she could face a prison sentence ranging from 3½ to 7 years for each count, along with potential penalties of up to one year for each misdemeanor charge, as stated by a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Source: Union Leader
