New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has released a staggering number of indictments the past few weeks, with not just one, but three chairholders now being indicted by grand juries for similar alleged offenses. This includes Bradley Cook of Hampton, Geno Marconi of Stratham and N.H. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi.
While all three are under investigation for crimes such as witness tampering, evidence concealment and interference in criminal investigations, some believe that there is even more foul work at play within N.H.’s expansive political playground. This begs the question: are these indictments based on solid evidence or is there a conspiracy to remove these members in the works?
Several articles published by InDepthNH.org have addressed the ongoing issue, releasing separate indictments for each chairholder and the reasoning behind the developing charges. As the story unravels, some suspicions against the charges have arisen amongst members close to the Marconi family. When asked about the indictments, Cook was completely unaware he was being charged at all, stating in one of the articles by author Nancy West, “What? I don’t have any idea what they are talking about.”
In fact, Cook and some others believe the whole thing is a ploy in an attempt to remove Marconi from his position as the director of the N.H Division of Ports and Harbors. Apparently, the director had disagreements with Gov. Chris Sununu over money allotment to the Rye Harbor. Allegedly, Sununu wished to spend the money on an elevated stripmall while Marconi wanted to provide improvements to the seawall and pier, as stated by West. After the disagreement, Marconi was put on paid leave before he was officially indicted for two felonies.
West quoted Cook again on the issue, where he stated, “I firmly believe that Judge Hantz Marconi was placed on paid administrative leave solely to further pressure director Marconi to resign. They are out to get him.” Hantz Marconi is also a Sununu appointee.
There is so much controversy regarding these cases, including Marconi’s alleged prior use of racially discriminatory language adding to his charges, as well as his wife’s indictments stating that she tampered with her own husband’s criminal investigation. In addition to the supposed conspiracy to remove Cook and Marconi entirely over monetary disagreements, it is truly baffling to take it all in.
At this point, it is difficult to choose which outcome of these cases would be best for the people of N.H. Whether the indictments are proven true or the conspiracy is further unraveled, it is clear that you never truly know the intentions and the closed-door actions of those in positions of power. We can only hope that the Rockingham Justice System can get to the bottom of things and that the proven truth of the matter can come to light for all three indicted members.
Kara Montagano can be contacted at
kmontagano@kscequinox.com
