New Hampshire Supreme Court justice is indicted
New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi has been indicted for allegedly trying to interfere with a criminal investigation of her husband. (Photo from the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website)
A New Hampshire Supreme Court justice has been indicted for allegedly trying to interfere with a criminal investigation of her husband.
The charges for Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi include two felonies: attempt to commit improper influence and criminal solicitation of improper influence, according to a Oct. 16 press release by New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella.
Law360, the Associated Press, fWMUR, InDepthNH.org and the New Hampshire Bulletin are among the publications with coverage.
Hantz Marconi was placed on administrative leave for 90 days in a July 25 order, according to a prior story by New Hampshire Public Radio.
Hantz Marconi’s husband, Geno Marconi, is the director of the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors. He was placed on administrative leave in April, according to WMUR. A spokesperson for the state attorney general’s office said the investigation into Marconi is still open, according to the AP. No charges have been filed.
An indictment alleges that Hantz Marconi told New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu that the investigation of her husband was due to personal, petty or political biases. She also allegedly said the investigation should be quickly completed because she recused herself from important cases while it was being conducted.
Law360 reports that Hantz Marconi had recused herself from all cases involving the state attorney general’s office.
Besides being charged with two felonies, Hantz Marconi is charged with five misdemeanor counts: 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.
Lawyers for Hantz Marconi told several publications that their client didn’t violate any law or rule, and that she is innocent.
“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,” said the lawyers, Richard Guerriero, Jonathan Kotlier and Oliver Bloom. “We intend to fight these wrongful accusations in court, where the fight should occur, and not in the media.”
