On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, InDepthNH.org reported that Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi of the New Hampshire Supreme Court has been indicted by the Merrimack County Grand Jury on multiple charges related to alleged efforts to interfere with a criminal investigation involving her husband, Geno Marconi. The indictment includes two felony counts and five misdemeanor counts, as confirmed by a statement from Attorney General John Formella.
The charges stem from Hantz Marconi’s purported interactions with various officials, including a conversation with Governor Chris Sununu and another with Steve Duprey, chairman of the Pease Development Authority, who was appointed by Sununu. The indictment alleges that these conversations were aimed at influencing the investigation into Geno Marconi, who serves as the Director for the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors and has been on leave since April.
In a statement from her legal team, Hantz Marconi’s attorneys—Richard Guerriero, Jonathan Kotlier, and Oliver Bloom—asserted her innocence, stating, “Justice Hantz Marconi is innocent. She did not violate any law or rule.” They indicated plans to vigorously contest the charges, beginning with motions to dismiss the case.
The specific charges against Hantz Marconi include two class B felonies: Attempt to Commit Improper Influence and Criminal Solicitation of Improper Influence. Additionally, she faces five class A misdemeanors, which consist of two counts of Criminal Solicitation of Misuse of Position, one count of Criminal Solicitation of Official Oppression, one count of Official Oppression, and one count of Obstructing Government Administration.
The indictment details that on June 6, Hantz Marconi allegedly told Governor Sununu that the investigation into her husband was motivated by personal and political biases and lacked merit. It is also alleged that she urged Sununu to expedite the investigation, citing her recusal from important Supreme Court cases as a reason for urgency.
The felony charge of criminal solicitation accuses Hantz Marconi of soliciting Sununu to improperly influence Department of Justice members regarding the investigation into her husband. The official oppression charge suggests she attempted to interfere with the investigation, violating the New Hampshire Code of Judicial Conduct.
Another misdemeanor charge claims that on April 19, she solicited Duprey to gain a governmental privilege related to the investigation of her husband. The legal implications of the charges are significant, as class B felonies can carry sentences of up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $4,000, while class A misdemeanors may lead to up to 12 months in a correctional facility and fines up to $2,000.
Geno Marconi is currently not facing any criminal charges, but the investigation concerning him remains ongoing. A spokesperson for the Attorney General stated that the investigation into Geno Marconi is distinct from the charges against Hantz Marconi.
Hantz Marconi has been on paid leave from her Supreme Court position since July. The allegations have raised considerable public interest, particularly given the political implications surrounding the case. A longtime friend of Geno Marconi suggested that Governor Sununu may be attempting to pressure him to resign due to disagreements over state plans for a contentious development project.
In the wake of these developments, the New Hampshire Department of Justice conducted the investigation, which is now concluded. Attorney General Formella clarified that no other individuals were targets of this inquiry, and no additional wrongdoing by others was uncovered.
Source: InDepthNH.org
