Geno Marconi Explained

Geno Marconi
Birth Date:September 14, 1951
Nationality:American
Spouse:Anna Hantz Marconi

Geno Marconi (born September 14, 1951) is the Director of Ports and Harbors for the state of New Hampshire. He has held this position for several years, overseeing vessel traffic on the Piscataqua River. Marconi’s career has been marked by both accomplishments and controversies, including recent criminal charges and earlier allegations of misconduct.[1] As of April 2024, Marconi has been placed on paid administrative leave.[2] [3]

Early life

Marconi was born on September 14, 1951, to Eugene J. Marconi and Evelyn E. Marconi (née Ladrie).[4] He was raised on the seacoast of New Hampshire, where he worked in the commercial fishing industry with his family. During this time, Marconi operated vessels engaged in harvesting lobster, ground fish, and northern shrimp.

Career

Marconi began his formal maritime career in 1975 when he was appointed Portsmouth Harbor Master. In 1979, his role expanded to include managing the state-owned Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier. He holds a United States Merchant Marine Officer license as a Master of Vessels under 1600 Gross Tons, with an endorsement for towing vessels. Over the years, Marconi has captained a variety of ships, including coastal cruise ships and towing vessels, operating in regions such as the Pacific Northwest, Southeast Alaska, the Great Lakes, the Canadian Maritimes, and the Caribbean. He is an Accredited Maritime Port Executive (AMPE),[5] certified by the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE).[6] Marconi also serves on the Board of Directors for the North Atlantic Ports Association.[7] Since 1987, he has been a member of the New Hampshire Advisory Committee on Marine Fisheries, a government entity established under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 211:60,[8] becoming its chairman in 2002. Additionally, Marconi has contributed to several state commissions, including New Hampshire’s Offshore Wind Energy Study Commission.[9] [10]

Recognition

In 2023, Geno Marconi received the IAMPE Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the port and maritime industries. He is one of only five individuals to have been honored with this award.

Controversies

2006 Allegations and Reappointment

In 2006, Marconi was reappointed as Director of Ports and Harbors despite accusations that he had used racist language in the workplace.[11] [12] [13] He admitted to using a racial slur to describe a ship captain of Middle Eastern descent but denied other allegations of inappropriate comments. After an investigation,[14] [15] Marconi was required to undergo diversity training and issued a public apology, reaffirming his commitment to professionalism.[16] [17] The New Hampshire Executive Council confirmed his reappointment, and Governor John Lynch did not veto the decision, although he described the remarks as "offensive and inappropriate."[18]

Additional allegations were raised regarding Marconi’s management practices, including claims that he misused public resources by using a state-issued vehicle for personal errands and accepting gifts from ship captains and fishermen.[19] [20] The Pease Development Authority reviewed these complaints and determined that Marconi’s actions were within the rules, though they noted that reforms would be considered.[21]

2007 Threats and Legal Fallout

Following the 2006 investigation, one of Marconi's accusers, Bill Roach, a longshoreman and president of the New Hampshire chapter of the International Longshoremen’s Association,[22] reported a series of disturbing incidents, including a drive-by shooting at his home,[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] a fake tombstone bearing his initials left at the port,[30] [31] [32] and a cage of dead rats placed outside his house.[33] Despite three separate police investigations, no charges were filed, and Marconi denied any involvement.

Roach, along with other longshoremen, filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the state, claiming that Marconi had retaliated by taking away their port jobs. However, the New Hampshire Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the longshoremen were contractors rather than state employees and, therefore, were not eligible for whistleblower protections.[34]

2024 Defense by Bradley Cook

During a May 1, 2024, Pease Development Authority (PDA) meeting, Bradley Cook, chairman of the Port Advisory Council, defended Marconi. Cook emphasized Marconi’s integrity and professional abilities, noting that the council had unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Marconi. He expressed concerns about the political climate, stating:

"The current political cesspool contains those who will stop at nothing to demonstrate power over anyone who is in disagreement with them and is principled enough to express that disagreement publicly."
Cook highlighted that, despite past policy disagreements, Marconi's honesty was never in question.[35]

2024 Criminal Charges

In October 2024, Geno Marconi was indicted on two Class B felonies: Tampering with Witnesses and Informants[36] [37] and Falsifying Physical Evidence.[38] [39] He was also indicted on four Class A misdemeanors: two counts of Driver Privacy Act Violations[40] [41] [42] and two counts of Obstructing Government Administration.[43] [44] [45] [46] The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office alleges that Marconi deleted voicemails and provided confidential motor vehicle records to a third party.[47] He has been on paid administrative leave since April 2024.[48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53]

Bradley Cook, chairman of the Port Advisory Council, was also indicted on a Class B felony for Perjury[54] [55] and two Class A misdemeanors for False Swearing.[56] [57] [58] [59]

Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, Geno Marconi's wife and a New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice,[60] was also indicted for two Class B felonies: one count of Attempt to Commit Improper Influence[61] [62] [63] and one count of Criminal Solicitation of Improper Influence.[64] [65] [66] She also faces five Class A misdemeanors: two counts of Criminal Solicitation of Misuse of Position,[67] [68] [69] [70] one count of Criminal Solicitation of Official Oppression,[71] [72] [73] one count of Official Oppression,[74] [75] and one count of Obstructing Government Administration.[76] [77] [78] She is accused of attempting to influence the investigation into her husband by soliciting New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu to expedite its conclusion.[79] [80]

Justice Hantz Marconi has been placed on paid administrative leave since July 25, 2024,[81] [82] [83] [84] and her legal team asserts that she is innocent of the charges.[85]

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella commented on the case, stating, “The decision to charge a sitting Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court was not made lightly, and it comes after careful and thoughtful deliberation. It is my hope that the public will be reassured that all individuals, including public officials, are treated equally under the law.”

See also

• Pease Development Authority • Anna Hantz Marconi

External links

• Pease Development Authority

Notes and References

  1. News: Wood . Rodger . March 26, 2024 . Roger Wood Talks NH Port Safety with Geno Marconi After Baltimore Bridge Collapse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425193839/https://indepthnh.org/2024/03/26/roger-wood-talks-nh-port-safety-with-geno-marconi-after-baltimore-bridge-collapse/ . April 26, 2024 . . April 25, 2024 .
  2. News: O'Brien . Kelly . April 25, 2024 . New Hampshire Attorney General's Office looking into Port Authority director . live . April 26, 2024 . . April 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240426003923/https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-attorney-general-port-authority-director-42524/60608998 .
  3. News: Bookman . Todd . April 25, 2024 . Head of NH Port Authority placed on administrative leave . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Public Radio.
  4. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . June 5, 2018 . Evelyn Marconi, Portsmouth Republican icon, dies at 92 . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  5. Web site: Accredited Maritime Port Executive . October 23, 2024 . International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE).
  6. Web site: About Us - IAMPE . International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE).
  7. Web site: North Atlantic Ports Association, Inc. - Officers and Directors . October 23, 2024 . North Atlantic Ports Association.
  8. Advisory Committee on Marine Fisheries . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 211:60 . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  9. Web site: New Hampshire Commission to Study Offshore Wind and Port Development - About the Commission . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Commission to Study Offshore Wind and Port Development.
  10. Web site: July 11, 2023 . IAMPE Honors Capt Geno Marconi with Lifetime Achievement Award . October 23, 2024 . International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE).
  11. News: September 13, 2006 . N.H. official reappointed despite racist remark . October 22, 2024 . NBC News.
  12. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . September 16, 2006 . Report on racial slur released . October 22, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  13. News: Manning . Colin . September 14, 2006 . Marconi admits racial slurs; OK'd for PDA post . October 22, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  14. News: Manning . Colin . August 24, 2006 . Lynch mum on Marconi nomination . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  15. News: Manning . Colin . June 22, 2006 . Marconi reappointment to port job on hold amid questions . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  16. News: September 16, 2006 . Marconi's slur shows state has lower standard . October 23, 2024 . The Portsmouth Herald.
  17. News: Kanner . Matt . October 21, 2006 . PDA punishes Marconi . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  18. News: Love . Norma . September 14, 2006 . AP: Marconi reappointed ports director after admitting to making racist remark . October 23, 2024 . Associated Press.
  19. News: Manning . Colin . September 20, 2006 . Port workers claim they are victims of retribution . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  20. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . September 16, 2006 . AG: Marconi took gifts, used state vehicles for personal tasks . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  21. News: Fisher . Damien . August 4, 2024 . Supreme Court Mystery Continues as Marconi’s Past Comes Into View . October 23, 2024 . InsideSources.
  22. Book: International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO . 2009 Directory of Officers and Locals . 2009 . International Longshoremen's Association . New York . 23 October 2024.
  23. News: Goot . Michael . August 25, 2007 . Rye car, home riddled with bullets . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  24. News: August 25, 2007 . No one hurt as bullet hits house of union boss in N.H. . October 23, 2024 . Barre Montpelier Times Argus.
  25. News: August 31, 2007 . Agencies look into drive-by shooting . October 23, 2024 . Rutland Herald.
  26. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . September 13, 2011 . Police 'exhausted all avenues' in probe of Rye shootings . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  27. News: Probe in Rye drive-by shooting hits a wall . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  28. News: June 25, 2012 . Documents released in 2007 Rye shooting . October 23, 2024 . WMUR-TV.
  29. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . June 25, 2012 . Rye drive-by shooting report: 'I've never been so afraid in my life' . October 23, 2024 . The Portsmouth Herald.
  30. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . August 26, 2007 . 'Tombstone' left for union boss . October 23, 2024 . The Portsmouth Herald.
  31. News: Agencies looking into Rye drive-by shooting, tombstone incident . October 23, 2024 . Foster's Daily Democrat.
  32. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . January 17, 2008 . 'Not guilty' verdict handed down in tombstone trial . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  33. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . August 28, 2007 . Union boss: request to address threats unanswered . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  34. News: Dinan . Elizabeth . January 22, 2008 . Port Authority: Whistleblower’s case lacks whistleblowers . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  35. News: McMenemy . Jeff . May 31, 2024 . Suspended Port Authority Director Geno Marconi defender cites 'political cesspool' . October 23, 2024 . The Portsmouth Herald.
  36. Tampering with Witnesses and Informants . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 641:5, II . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  37. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Indictment - Tampering with Witnesses and Informants . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  38. Falsifying Physical Evidence . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 641:6, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  39. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Indictment - Falsifying Physical Evidence . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  40. Driver Privacy Act Violations . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 260:14, IX(a) . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  41. Web site: October 7, 2024 . First Indictment - Driver Privacy Act Violation . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  42. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Second Indictment - Driver Privacy Act Violation . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  43. Obstructing Government Administration . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 642:1, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  44. Web site: October 7, 2024 . First Indictment - Obstructing Government Administration . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  45. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Second Indictment - Obstructing Government Administration . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  46. State of New Hampshire v. Geno Joseph Marconi, No. 218-2024-CR-01426. yes. N.H. Super. Ct. Rockingham Cty.. https://www.courts.nh.gov/media/requested-cases/criminal/state-nh-v-geno-joseph-marconi . ..
  47. . Indictments of Geno Marconi and Bradley Cook. Michael S. Garrity. New Hampshire Department of Justice. October 17, 2024. October 23, 2024.
  48. News: October 17, 2024 . New Hampshire's Port Director and His Wife, a Judge, Are Both Facing Criminal Charges . October 23, 2024 . U.S. News & World Report.
  49. News: Porter . Steven . October 17, 2024 . N.H. Port Authority Director Geno Marconi indicted on witness tampering charge. . October 23, 2024 . The Boston Globe.
  50. News: October 17, 2024 . NH Ports and Harbors director indicted, one day after his wife was charged with alleged interference . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Public Radio.
  51. News: West . Nancy . October 17, 2024 . Geno Marconi, Bradley Cook Indicted Day After AG Releases Justice Hantz Marconi Charges . October 23, 2024 . InDepthNH.org.
  52. News: October 17, 2024 . NH port director Geno Marconi indicted a day after his wife, a NH Supreme Court justice . October 23, 2024 . Seacoast Media Group.
  53. News: O'Brien . Kelly . Oct 17, 2024 . NH Port Authority director indicted day after wife accused of interfering with investigation . October 23, 2024 . WMUR-TV.
  54. Perjury . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 641:1, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  55. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Indictment - Perjury . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  56. False Swearing . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 641:2, I(a) . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  57. Web site: October 7, 2024 . First Indictment - False Swearing . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  58. Web site: October 7, 2024 . Second Indictment - False Swearing . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  59. State of New Hampshire v. Bradley Joseph Cook, No. 218-2024-CR-01425. yes. N.H. Super. Ct. Rockingham Cty.. https://www.courts.nh.gov/media/requested-cases/criminal/state-nh-v-bradley-joseph-cook . ..
  60. Web site: August 8, 2017 . Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  61. Attempt - Inchoate Crimes . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 629:1, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  62. Improper Influence . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 640:3, I(b) . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  63. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Indictment - Attempt to Commit Improper Influence . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  64. Criminal Solicitation - Inchoate Crimes . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 629:2, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  65. Improper Influence . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 640:3, I(b) . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  66. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Indictment - Criminal Solicitation (Improper Influence) . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  67. Criminal Solicitation - Inchoate Crimes . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 629:2, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  68. Misuse of Position . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 21-G:23, II . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  69. Web site: October 16, 2024 . First Indictment - Criminal Solicitation (Misuse of Position) . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  70. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Second Indictment - Criminal Solicitation (Misuse of Position) . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  71. Criminal Solicitation - Inchoate Crimes . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 629:2, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  72. Official Oppression . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 643:1 . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  73. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Indictment - Criminal Solicitation (Official Oppression) . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  74. Official Oppression . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 643:1 . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  75. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Indictment - Official Oppression . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  76. Obstructing Government Administration . N.H. Rev. Stat. § 642:1, I . October 23, 2024 . Statute.
  77. Web site: October 16, 2024 . Indictment - Obstructing Government Administration . October 23, 2024 . New Hampshire Judicial Branch.
  78. State of New Hampshire v. Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, No. 217-2024-CR-01167. yes. N.H. Super. Ct. Merrimack Cty.. https://www.courts.nh.gov/media/requested-cases/criminal/state-nh-v-anna-barbara-hantz-marconi . ..
  79. . State of New Hampshire v. Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. Michael S. Garrity. New Hampshire Department of Justice. October 16, 2024. October 23, 2024.
  80. News: West . Nancy . October 16, 2024 . Justice Hantz Marconi Indicted For Trying To Interfere with Husband Geno Marconi’s Criminal Investigation . October 23, 2024 . InDepthNH.org.
  81. . New Hampshire Supreme Court Issues Order Regarding Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. Av Harris. New Hampshire Judicial Branch. July 26, 2024. October 23, 2024.
  82. State of New Hampshire. yes. Supreme Court of New Hampshire, Administrative Order. Supreme Court of New Hampshire. July 25, 2024. https://www.courts.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt471/files/documents/2024-07/7-25-24-order-re-justice-hantz-marconi-on-administrative-leave.pdf-leave.pdf .
  83. . New Hampshire Supreme Court Extends Leave Order Regarding Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. Av Harris. New Hampshire Judicial Branch. October 17, 2024. October 23, 2024.
  84. State of New Hampshire. yes. Supreme Court of New Hampshire, Administrative Order. Supreme Court of New Hampshire. October 17, 2024. https://www.courts.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt471/files/documents/2024-10/10-17-24-order-re-justice-hantz-marconi-on-administrative-leave.pdf .
  85. News: Steve . LeBlanc . October 16, 2024 . New Hampshire Supreme Court justice indicted for allegedly interfering with probe of husband . October 23, 2024 . Associated Press.

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