CONCORD, NH – A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of Circuit Court Judge Paul S. Moore.
The investigation was initiated based on information received March 12 from the New Hampshire Supreme Court, which alleges that Judge Moore submitted a number of anonymous judicial evaluations of himself online, making it appear as though some other person had submitted the evaluations and without identifying himself as the individual submitting the evaluations.
The investigation by the Attorney General’s Office will focus on whether Judge Moore engaged in conduct constituting RSA 641:3, Unsworn Falsification; RSA 641:7, Tampering with Public Records or Information; and/or RSA 642:1, Obstructing Government Administration, as well as other criminal conduct as dictated by the evidence.
Moore is founder of MooreMart, an organization that collected and sent care packages to service members overseas. In June of 2015 Moore stepped away from the organization citing the need to eliminate any appearance of conflict of interest, due to the number of politicians who came through the organization as volunteers and seeking photo ops. The name of the organization was changed to Operation Care for Troops.
A statement issued by Moore at the time is below:
In reviewing my involvement with MooreMart, a non-profit organization providing care packages to service members serving overseas, as it relates to my role as a local Circuit Court justice I have become increasingly aware of the perception of potential conflicts that may arise between my charitable endeavors to include my role as President of MooreMart, and my role a Circuit Court Justice. During my tenure as a Circuit Court Justice I have been careful to comply with the judicial ethical rules, but concerns have recently been brought to my attention that I must address. Due to the fact that my role as a Board member and officer of MooreMart could possibly have a perceived adverse effect on the public’s perception of the Judiciary I cannot continue my association with MooreMart at this time and have come to the difficult decision to resign as the President of MooreMart and allow the organization to continue under the direct of the Board of Directors.
Because this is a criminal investigation, the Attorney General’s office said they will release no further information at this time to “ensure the integrity of the investigation.”
