New Hampshire Supreme Court justice indicted for allegedly interfering in criminal investigation of husband

A justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court has been charged for allegedly trying to interfere with a criminal investigation into her husband,

A grand jury in Merrimack County indicted Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi on two felonies and five misdemeanors on Wednesday, related to her alleged efforts to intercede into the investigation Geno Marconi, the director of the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced Wednesday.

The reason for the investigation is unclear. In April, Geno Marconi was placed on paid administrative leave . Hantz Marconi was placed on leave in July and relieved of her duties for 90 days.

One indictment alleged that Marconi told Gov. Chris Sununu an investigation into her husband was the result of “personal petty and/or political biases; that there was no merit to allegations against or subsequent investigation into Geno Marconi; and/or that the investigation into Geno Marconi needed to be wrapped up quickly because she was recused from important cases pending” before the court.

““The decision to charge a sitting Justice of the was not made lightly, and it comes after careful and thoughtful deliberation,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella. “It is my hope that the public will be reassured that all individuals, including public officials, are treated equally under the law.”

Hantz Marconi is charged with two felonies – one count of attempt to commit improper Influence and one count of criminal solicitation of improper influence.  She is also charged with five misdemeanors, including two counts of criminal solicitation of misuse of position and one count of criminal solicitation of official oppression.

Attorneys for Marconi — Richard Guerriero, Jonathan Kotlier and Oliver Bloom — said she is innocent and didn’t violate any law or rule.

“We will fight the charges to the fullest extent permitted by the law, starting with motions to dismiss the case which we anticipate filing soon,” they said in a statement. “We intend to fight these wrongful accusations in court, where the fight should occur, and not in the media.”

Marconi was also charged with soliciting Sununu “to improperly influence a member and/or members of the New Hampshire Department of Justice regarding an investigation.”

Marconi was sworn in as a justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court in August 2017.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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