New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hunts Marconi has been indicted on charges of attempting to interfere with her husband's criminal investigation of a state employee. announced Wednesday.
Hunts-Marconi was indicted by a Merrimack County grand jury on two felonies and five misdemeanors, state Attorney General John Formella said in a statement.
The Class B felonies include one count of attempting to exert undue influence and a second count of criminal abetting undue influence. The felony carries a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison and a $4,000 fine.
The five Class A misdemeanors include two counts of criminal abetting of abuse of position, one count of criminal abetting of official oppression, one count of official oppression, and one count of obstruction of government administration. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to 12 months in a correctional facility and a fine of up to $2,000.
In his announcement, Formella said the decision to indict a sitting judge of the state's high court was not taken lightly.
“No one is above the law, and the evidence in this case needed to be investigated and presented to a grand jury,” Formella said in a statement.
“The decision to indict a sitting justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court was not made lightly, but after careful and thoughtful consideration,” he continued. “I hope the public can be reassured that all individuals, including public servants, will be treated equally under the law.”
Hantz Marconi's attorney said he plans to file a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the judge found him not guilty.
“Judge Hantz Marconi is innocent. She did not violate any law or regulation. We will continue to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law, beginning with the motion to dismiss the case that will be filed soon. We intend to fight the charges,” said a statement from attorneys Richard Guerriero, Jonathan Cotlier and Oliver Bloom.
“We will fight unjust accusations in court, not in the media,” the statement continued.
The state Department of Justice announced that the investigation was closed and no other suspected wrongdoing was found during the investigation.
Hantz Marconi has been on vacation since July. According to the Associated Press.
