New Hampshire High Court Justice indicted in felony influence scheme

New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi has been indicted by the Merrimack County Grand Jury on 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," Attorney General John M. Formella said in a statement released on Wednesday. "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 Hertz 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 including 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 three and a half to seven years in state prison and a fine of up to $4,000. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to 12 months in a house of corrections and a fine of up to $2,000.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, rather that enough evidence has been presented to a grand jury to warrant moving forward to trial.