The dispute over the Concord Casino’s license was postponed by ten days by the governing bodies of New Hampshire. The much-anticipated hearing, initiated by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but has been pushed back to the 13th of October.
Andy Sanborn, an erstwhile state senator, had been granted the license now under revision, following an in-depth examination by state Attorney General John M. Formella. The license might be stripped, as Formella expressed concerns about Sanborn’s compatibility with charitable gaming in New Hampshire.
Despite these concerns, Sanborn has launched an appeal with the aim of preserving his charitable casino license. The state investigation revealed controversial details about the illegal reception of $844K in federal COVID relief funds by Sanborn. As a casino owner, he was in a position that should have excluded him from receiving this money. Moreover, Sanborn reportedly allocated this money for personal investments including the purchase of three racing cars and for making advance rent payments, as stated by the authorities.
Among these vehicles was a Ferrari, gifted to his wife, Laurie Sanborn, a state representative. They both reside in Bedford, NH, and are registered Republicans.
Jane Young, the US Attorney for New Hampshire, is also scrutinizing the COVID relief application and disputed expenditures. Other concerns in question revolve around the monies from the Concord Casino directed toward non-profit organizations. A recent report from New Hampshire Public Radio indicated that Concord Casino contributes only 17.5% of its proceeds, compared to the 35% typically forwarded by charitable casinos in the state to approved nonprofits.
Furthermore, Sanborn has been cautioned by the Lottery Commission for not submitting monthly financial documentation for charities. He also falsely named a charity when allocating casino’s proceeds.
Defending himself against these allegations, Sanborn stated, “We applied for federal relief like many businesses to address the COVID-19 pandemic’s operational issues. Despite disagreements with the Commission’s statements, I welcome the impending investigation. We’ve ensured compliance with all requirements and standards, and I am confident that our actions are completely within the law’s boundaries.” This controversy led Laurie Sanborn to resign her position as chair of a state panel on charitable casinos earlier this month.
The Concord Casino operates out of The Draft Sports Bar and Grill in Concord. Sanborn also plans to launch another 43,000-square-foot charitable casino elsewhere in Concord. This second property was green-lit by the city’s Planning Board in June, but is currently embroiled in a legal dispute.
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