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Hantz Marconi’s law license has been officially suspended pending the criminal trial
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Hantz Marconi’s law license has been officially suspended pending the criminal trial

New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi’s license has been formally suspended by a series of judges appointed to oversee her disciplinary proceedings as she faces a laundry list of felony charges.

Hantz Marconi previously notified the judicial branch that he would not object to the suspension of his ability to practice law during his criminal trial.

Earlier this month, Hantz Marconi was indicted on seven counts related to allegations she tried to pressure Gov. Chris Sununu to curtail an investigation into her husband, Geno Marconi, the state’s port director.

On October 21, the Disciplinary Office of the Prosecutor decided to temporarily suspend Hantz Marconi’s law license in light of the criminal charges. State Supreme Court justices typically approve suspensions or other disciplinary action taken against attorneys, but the court’s four other justices recused themselves in the case involving their colleague.

In their absence, the court appointed retired Superior Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau to oversee the disciplinary case against Hantz Marconi, along with Chief Justice Mark Howard and Justices David Ruoff, Daniel St. Hilaire and Michael Klass. Those five judges approved the temporary suspension on Thursday “for a period of time coextensive with her administrative leave.”

Hantz Marconi is scheduled to be arraigned on November 27. It’s unclear when a trial might be scheduled in the case.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald was identified in the court documents as a potential witness in the criminal case involving Hantz Marconi. She claims she discussed her interest in dating Sununu with MacDonald and he expressed no concerns.

Sununu could also appear as a witness in the criminal trial. On Wednesday, he declined to say whether he testified before a Merrimack County grand jury that handed down the charges against Hantz Marconi. He also declined to say who else might have been aware of or present for his June 6 conversation with Hantz Marconi, or whether he or one of his employees reported concerns about her alleged application to the Attorney General’s office.

A day after the criminal charges involving Hantz Marconi were released, a series of criminal charges were announced against her husband, Geno Marconi. Prosecutors say he disclosed confidential vehicle records to another person and tampered with evidence to hinder an ongoing investigation.

In April, Hantz Marconi also reportedly contacted Steve Duprey, chairman of the Pease Development Authority, which oversees the state’s ports. (Duprey is a member of NHPR’s Board of Directors, but has no influence on the station’s coverage.)

Marconi remains on administrative leave from the Ports and Harbors Division, while Hantz Marconi is also on leave from the court.