Hantz Marconi’s law license officially suspended as part of ongoing criminal case

New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi’s law license has been officially suspended by a group of judges appointed to oversee her disciplinary hearing as she faces a series of felony charges.

Hantz Marconi had previously informed judicial authorities that he would not object to the suspension of his ability to practice law while the criminal case was pending.

Hantz Marconi earlier this month A lawsuit was filed on seven charges over allegations that she tried to pressure Gov. Chris Sununu to curtail the investigation into her husband, Geno Marconi, the state’s port director.

On Oct. 21, the state’s Attorney General’s Disciplinary Bureau moved to temporarily suspend Hantz Marconi’s law license in light of the accusations. Typically, the state’s Supreme Court justices approve suspensions or other disciplinary measures against attorneys, but four other justices on the court recused themselves from cases involving their colleagues.

In their absence, the court seated retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau, Chief Justice Mark Howard, and Justices David Ruoff, Daniel St. Along with Hilaire and Michael Klass, Hantz appointed him to oversee the disciplinary case against Marconi. These five judges approved the temporary suspension on Thursday “for a period concurrent with his administrative leave.”

Hantz Marconi is scheduled to appear in court on November 27. It is unclear when a hearing in the case might be scheduled.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald identified in court documents As a potential witness in the criminal case involving Hantz Marconi. He claims he discussed his interest in meeting with Sununu with MacDonald and that MacDonald did not express any concerns.

Sununu will also be able to appear as a witness in the criminal case. On Wednesday, Hantz declined to say whether he testified before the Merrimack County grand jury that handed down the charges against Marconi. Hantz also declined to say who else might have been aware of or was present at his June 6 meeting with Marconi or whether he or any of his employees had reported concerns to the Attorney General’s Office about his alleged request.

A day after the criminal complaints involving Hantz Marconi were published, a series of charges were announced against her husband, Geno Marconi. Prosecutors allege he disclosed confidential motor vehicle records to another person and tampered with evidence to obstruct the ongoing investigation.

In April, Hantz Marconi also allegedly contacted Steve Duprey, head 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 Department of Ports and Harbors, while Hantz Marconi is on court leave.