By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Independent hearing officer Michael King ruled the New Hampshire Lottery Commission has just cause to suspend the charitable gaming licenses of former Republican state Senator Andy Sanborn and his Concord Casino.
King’s ruling suspends Concord Casino’s charitable gaming licenses for six months, as of January 1, 2024. According to King’s ruling, if the business is not sold during the six-month time period, the license will be revoked. Concord Casino must cease operations as of January 1, 2024.
“The New Hampshire Lottery is in receipt of Attorney King’s decision and thanks him for his efforts. The Commission is reviewing the decision and evaluating our options with the Attorney General’s office,” according to a NH Lottery news release.
In late August, Attorney General John Formella announced that Andy Sanborn was not suitable to be associated with charitable gaming in New Hampshire due to evidence of COVID-19 relief fraud involving the Concord Casino charitable gaming business.
In a news release at the time, Formella said Andy Sanborn received a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan with proceeds of $844,000 and bought at least three race cars, two Porsche 987 Cayman S racers for himself, and a Ferrari F430 challenge racer as a gift for his wife, state Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford.
Formella said his office opened a criminal investigation, including a review by the Public Integrity Unit of the actions of all of the individuals and entities involved, including Sanborn’s wife Rep. Laurie Sanborn, who is also House Speaker Pro Tempore and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Laurie Sanborn has since resigned from the new commission formed to evaluate charity gaming operations that she chaired.
On Thursday, Formella’s spokesman Mike Garrity said the criminal investigation hasn’t been completed.
“At this point our criminal investigation remains active and ongoing,” Garrity said Thursday.
Formella also made a criminal referral to the United States Attorney’s Office – District of New Hampshire.
A spokesman for the U.S Attorney’s Office said it “does not confirm nor deny investigations into any matter.”
Messages left for Andy Sanborn and his attorney Zachary Hafer seeking comment were not returned Thursday.
To read the full NH Lottery Commission ruling, visit: https://nhlottery.com/Files/PDFs/News/IMO-Concord-Casino-Decision.aspx.
For the New Hampshire Lottery Commission’s Findings of Fact and Rulings of Law, visit: https://nhlottery.com/Files/PDFs/News/Divisions-Requested-Findings-of-Fact-and-Conclusio.aspx