Supreme Court Justice Suspended

An order of the New Hampshire Supreme Court has suspended a fellow justice of that court based on her indictment.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice announced the indictment

New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announces that New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi has been indicted by the Merrimack County Grand Jury for two felonies and five misdemeanors relating to her attempts to interfere with a criminal investigation into her husband, Geno Marconi.

“No person is above the law, and the evidence in this case required investigation and presentation to the grand jury,” said Attorney General Formella.  “The decision to charge a sitting Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court was not made lightly, and it comes after careful and thoughtful deliberation.  It is my hope that the public will be reassured that all individuals, including public officials, are treated equally under the law.”

Justice Hantz Marconi is charged with two class B felonies – one count of Attempt to Commit Improper Influence and one count of Criminal Solicitation of Improper Influence.  Justice Hantz Marconi is also charged with five class A misdemeanors – 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.

Class B felonies are punishable by up to 3.5 to 7 years in state prison and a fine of up to $4,000.00.  Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to 12 months in a house of corrections and a fine of up to $2,000.00.

The charges in these indictments are only allegations, and Justice Hantz Marconi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

(Mike Frisch)