A justice from the New Hampshire Supreme Court has entered a plea in a case where she faced allegations of using her position to sway a criminal investigation concerning her spouse.

State Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi was found guilty after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminal solicitation of misuse of position, according to an announcement made by state Attorney General John Formella in a press release on Tuesday. A no contest plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.

The issue in Merrimack County involved Marconi’s husband, Geno Marconi, who serves as the Director of Ports and Harbors. He faced indictment in October 2024 on charges comprising felonies for tampering with witnesses and evidence, along with two misdemeanor counts each of breaching the Driver Privacy Act and obstructing government processes.

State investigators claim that Anna Marconi organized a meeting with then-New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu in June 2024 to address the ongoing grand jury investigation pertaining to her husband, explaining its impact on her “professionally and as a Supreme Court justice,” according to the New Hampshire Department of Justice.

It is reported that she informed Sununu that the investigation was driven by “personal, petty, and/or political biases,” claimed it lacked validity, “and repeatedly stated that the investigation needed to conclude swiftly.” According to state investigators, she also mentioned how the investigation was hindering her ability to preside over crucial cases awaiting or soon to be before the Supreme Court.

Formella was scathing in his evaluation of Anna Marconi’s actions.

“This is a sad and unfortunate case that reflects a serious breach of the public trust,” he wrote. “Justice Hantz Marconi was an Associate Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court when she arranged for a private meeting with the Governor and then sought to obtain special treatment regarding an active criminal investigation involving her husband.”

“That conduct was unlawful and unethical, and it undermines confidence in our criminal justice system. Today’s conviction holds her accountable under the law,” the state attorney general added.

As Law&Crime previously reported, Anna Marconi was originally indicted on several charges, including two felonies: attempt to commit improper influence and criminal solicitation of improper influence. She had been on administrative leave since July 2024.

Geno Marconi was put on leave from his position in April 2024. Bradley Cook, the chairman of the Division of Ports and Harbors Advisory Council, was also indicted — in his case, for felony perjury and two counts of misdemeanor false swearing.

Details about Geno Marconi’s case have not been released, but reporting from New Hampshire Public Radio from August 2024 states three people were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury about interactions between him and the Port Authority. Geno Marconi has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in Rockingham County court.

The long-tenured public servant has seen his fair share of controversy. In 2006, he was disciplined after a report issued by the state attorney general at the time concluded that Geno Marconi misused public funds, accepted illegal gifts, and used racist slurs. His annual salary was subsequently decreased by $5,000, and he was required to submit to monthly behavioral reviews.

Following the incident, he was reappointed to his position — though this came amid speculation that he was involved in drive-by shootings of witnesses against him.

Geno Marconi denied wrongdoing and was never charged with any crimes in the matter.

Anna Marconi, for her part, was appointed by Sununu to the bench of the state’s highest court in 2017. And while she has been ordered to pay a fine of $1,200 due to her misdemeanor conviction, she has no plans to step down.

“Justice Hantz Marconi is very comfortable that she has made the best decision for herself, her family, and the State of New Hampshire,” per a statement from her legal team obtained by the NH Journal. “She looks forward to getting back to work.”

Formella reiterated the importance of public trust and how “no one is above the law — not even a Justice of the Supreme Court.”

“Judges have special ethical responsibilities, including to obey the law; to promote public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary; to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety; and to not abuse the prestige of their office to advance the personal interest of themselves or others,” the attorney general wrote. “The State of New Hampshire takes seriously its responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability at every level of public service.”