A former state senator from New Hampshire has been accused of fraudulently obtaining a COVID-19 relief loan meant for his casino and using the funds to purchase luxury cars for himself and his wife. Andy Sanborn, who owns the Concord Casino within The Draft Sports Bar and Grill in Concord, allegedly lied on his loan application to receive $844,000 in funding from the Small Business Administration.
According to the investigation, Sanborn omitted his business name, “Concord Casino,” from the application and listed his primary business activity as “miscellaneous services.” Casinos and charitable gaming facilities were not eligible for such loans. The funds were allegedly used by Sanborn to buy two Porsche race cars worth $181,000 each and a Ferrari worth $80,000 for his wife. He also paid himself over $183,000, claiming it as rent for his Concord properties.
The allegations were announced by the attorney general’s office, which reviews the owners of charitable gaming businesses every five years. Sanborn is now facing a criminal investigation, and the state lottery commission is seeking to permanently ban him from operating any such business.
Sanborn served as a state senator for four terms and ran for Congress in 2018 without success. His wife, Laurie Sanborn, is a Republican leader in the New Hampshire House, serving as the speaker pro tempore and chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Both Sanborns have not yet responded to the allegations or requests for comment.
The attorney general, John Formella, emphasized the importance of law enforcement in preventing illegal activities in New Hampshire’s charitable gaming industry. He stated that action must be taken against anyone found to have used regulated casinos for their personal gain with fraudulently obtained taxpayer funds.
Despite the allegations, the Concord Planning Board approved Sanborn’s proposal to build a 24,000-square-foot casino and restaurant in June. The board had been considering the proposal for months, but concerns were raised about a lack of public vetting.
The House Democratic leader, Rep. Matt Wilhelm, called the attorney general’s report deeply concerning and urged House Speaker Sherm Packard to remove Laurie Sanborn from a commission studying charitable gaming laws. House Republican leaders did not provide a response to the request for comment.
Unique Perspective: This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty when it comes to accessing government funds, especially during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the need for strict oversight and enforcement to ensure that relief loans are used appropriately to support businesses and individuals who truly need assistance. By holding accountable those who misuse public funds, we can maintain the integrity of relief programs and safeguard taxpayers’ trust.
