New Hampshire Chief Justice Resigns After Admitting Ethics Violations
Gordon MacDonald stepped down after an investigation examined a personnel arrangement that allowed a longtime colleague to receive nearly $50,000 in accrued benefits.
By Isabel Calione|The New England Voice
MacDonald admitted violations of the standards governing judicial conduct, but he was not charged with a crime in connection with the transaction.
New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald has resigned after acknowledging that his conduct in a controversial personnel matter violated several provisions of the state's Code of Judicial Conduct.
MacDonald announced his resignation on September 15, effective immediately. In his resignation letter, he said leaving the court was in the best interests of New Hampshire's judicial branch and accepted responsibility and accountability for his conduct.
The resignation followed an investigation by the New Hampshire Judicial Conduct Committee, an independent body that reviews allegations of misconduct involving state judges. The investigation focused on MacDonald's role in a personnel arrangement involving Dianne Martin, a senior judicial branch employee and longtime professional associate.
Martin was removed from one position and rehired approximately 48 hours later for a different role. The arrangement enabled her to receive nearly $50,000 for accumulated benefits while continuing to work within the court system.
According to the public agreement and court records, MacDonald admitted violating three provisions of the judicial code. The committee concluded that his actions failed to promote public confidence in the judiciary, did not meet the required standard of competence in his administrative responsibilities and failed to avoid favoritism in the handling of Martin's removal.
The committee opened its inquiry in November 2025, following reporting and a whistleblower allegation concerning the personnel transaction. After reviewing documents and interviewing judicial officials, the committee determined that the matter warranted formal ethical action.
Rather than contest the allegations in a public disciplinary proceeding, MacDonald entered into an agreement with the committee and resigned from the bench. The New Hampshire Supreme Court accepted the agreement in a final order issued the same day.
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found
The ethical findings should be distinguished from a criminal case.
An earlier review by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office found no evidence that the personnel arrangement violated criminal law. However, the review confirmed the central sequence of events and concluded that the process did not follow human-resources best practices.
That distinction is significant: MacDonald admitted violations of the standards governing judicial conduct, but he was not charged with a crime in connection with the transaction.
Leadership Change at the State's Highest Court
MacDonald, 64, became chief justice in 2021 after serving four years as New Hampshire attorney general. As chief justice, he was both a member of the five-justice Supreme Court and the administrative leader of the state's judicial branch.
He had been on medical leave since late July. During his absence, senior Associate Justice Patrick Donovan assumed the chief justice's responsibilities.
Governor Kelly Ayotte must now select a nominee to lead the court. The nomination will be subject to the state's judicial selection and confirmation process. Ayotte has said she will consult with a judicial selection committee, although no firm timeline for naming a replacement has been announced.
MacDonald's resignation brings an abrupt end to his five-year tenure and raises broader questions about oversight, transparency and public trust within New Hampshire's judicial system.
The Judicial Conduct Committee's agreement, supporting materials, the Supreme Court's final order and MacDonald's resignation letter have all been released publicly.
Sources and Public Records
- ●New Hampshire Supreme Court final order, September 15, 2026
- ●Judicial Conduct Committee stipulation and agreement
- ●NHPR report and links to the complete public record
- ●NHPR follow-up on the leadership transition