By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
PORTSMOUTH – There was no harassment or retaliation by Ports and Harbors Director Richard Hartley as alleged by one former and one present employee, according to a statement by the Pease Development Authority released Friday.
The release said the PDA had received workplace complaints from the two unidentified people against Hartley who replaced Geno Marconi who was forced to resign last year as part of a plea deal on a misdemeanor conviction.
The PDA said Friday it retained the law firm Holland & Knight LLP, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations against Hartley, which was criticized by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Littleton.
“The independent investigation concluded that the allegations of harassment and retaliation against Director Hartley were not substantiated and there was no finding of harassment (sexual or otherwise), discrimination or retaliation by Director Hartley against any Department of Ports and Harbors (DPH) employees. Therefore, there was no finding that the PDA Harassment/Retaliation Policy had been violated.
“In keeping with the PDA’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Board of Directors is releasing the unsealed minutes from its non-public meeting regarding this matter, which include the findings of the independent investigation and the actions taken by the Board. The minutes can be found here: link,” the PDA release said.
Because of Hartley’s highly visible leadership role, the PDA Board recommended leadership training as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering effective communication and a positive workplace culture, according to the release, but insisted it wasn’t disciplinary.
Rep. Barton said in an email response: “The PDA’s own statement confirms that complaints were made by both a current employee and a former employee. That alone should raise serious concern that this was not merely an isolated workplace disagreement.
“Calling the review ‘independent’ does not make it so. Holland & Knight was selected, retained, and paid by the PDA—the same organization whose management and oversight practices were implicated by the complaints. However reputable the firm may be, an investigation commissioned by the entity facing potential liability is not structurally independent of that entity,” Barton said.
Barton said the public didn’t receive the complete investigative record. Instead, “The public has also been given conclusions, selected findings, and meeting minutes—not the complete investigative record necessary to evaluate how witnesses were selected, what evidence was considered, whether conflicting accounts were resolved fairly, and how the investigators reached their conclusions. The Board’s simultaneous declaration of complete confidence in Director Hartley further undermines the appearance of neutral oversight.”
Barton said the “Speaker of the New Hampshire House should appoint a bipartisan committee of legislators with authority to examine the complaints, management practices, investigative materials, personnel actions, and the PDA Board’s handling of the matter.”
Steve Duprey, Chair of the Pease Development Authority Board of Directors, said: “Richard has done an outstanding job elevating the role of New Hampshire Ports and Harbors within our state and the maritime community. He has performed his duties with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Under his leadership, the organization has become more efficient, more productive, and more strategic in its operations. As Board Chair, I can say unequivocally that Richard has the full confidence and support of the Board, and we look forward to his continued leadership and future accomplishments.”
Hartley, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, said in the release: “I have dedicated my career to serving my country and advancing maritime operations and security. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and the significant progress we’ve made at the Division of Ports and Harbors. I appreciate the confidence and support of the Pease Development Authority Board of Directors, and I remain committed to working alongside our dedicated staff and valued partners to continue strengthening New Hampshire’s ports and harbors for the benefit of the communities we serve.”
Geno Marconi was forced to resign Oct. 31, 2025, when he pleaded guilty to violating the misdemeanor driver privacy act after a lengthy investigation by the Attorney General’s Office found no serious crime. His wife, state Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, pleaded no contest, but was found guilty three weeks earlier of a misdemeanor for meeting with then-Governor Chris Sununu about the investigation into her husband. She was fined $1,200, faced no jail time and has since retired.