CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Geno Marconi, the longtime director of the New Hampshire Division of Ports and Harbors, entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge on Friday, amidst a broader investigation that has also implicated his wife, Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, a member of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
As part of a plea agreement, Geno Marconi was fined $2,000 for unlawfully sharing confidential boating and motor vehicle records. In addition to the financial penalty, he was compelled to resign from his role as director. His wife, Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, has been involved in the case as she recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge related to her attempts to obstruct the investigation into her husband's actions.
During a brief hearing at the Rockingham County Superior Court, Marconi expressed remorse for his actions, stating, "I recognize and take responsibility for my actions." Initially facing four misdemeanor charges alongside two felonies, including witness tampering, he opted for a plea deal and pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor for violating driver privacy. He received a 30-day jail sentence; however, the entirety of the sentence was suspended.
The legal troubles began when Geno Marconi was accused of leaking confidential records as a form of retaliation against a member of the Pease Development Authority. This authority is responsible for the maintenance and development of the state’s ports and harbors. Notably, Marconi's wife, Justice Hantz Marconi, faced accusations of attempting to influence the attorney general's investigation into her husband. She allegedly approached then-Governor Chris Sununu, asserting that the allegations against Geno had no merit and requested that the investigation be concluded swiftly due to her recusal from significant cases pending before the court.
While initially indicted on two felony counts and five misdemeanor charges, Justice Hantz Marconi entered a plea deal on October 7, pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminal solicitation concerning the misuse of her judicial position. She was placed on administrative leave in July 2024 but resumed her duties following the completion of plea negotiations and court proceedings.
The unfolding events surrounding the Marconis have attracted significant attention, highlighting the intersection of public service and judicial integrity. Both Geno and Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi have faced considerable scrutiny as the legal proceedings have progressed, underscoring the complexities and potential ramifications of their professional conduct.
