New Hampshire Casino Shut Down, Owner SuspendedInvestigators Allege Financial Irregularities, Expensive Purchases |
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New Hampshire gamblers now have one less option after the owner of the Concord Casino was stripped of his gaming license and the property was forced to close – at least for the time being.
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission suspended owner Andy Sanborn’s license for six months and ordered the closing of the casino as of Jan. 1. Sanborn can use that time to find a buyer for the property according to the commission, or have his license revoked for two years.
Sanborn, a former state senator, is alleged to have misused COVID relief funds, including purchasing luxury cars and other financial irregularities to the tune of more than $800,000. Auditors also alleged Sanborn failed to provide necessary paperwork to track the company’s finances.
“By making multiple false entries in Concord Casino’s books and records, Concord Casino’s and Mr. Sanborn’s misconduct undermines the public’s confidence in the integrity of charitable gaming in New Hampshire,” lottery officials noted in documents pertaining to the case.
“By failing to supply the Division with information and documentation demonstrating Concord Casino’s financial stability by clear and convincing evidence, Concord Casino’s and Mr. Sanborn’s misconduct undermines the public’s confidence in the integrity of charitable gaming in New Hampshire.”
Financial Discrepancies, Luxury Car Purchases
The investigation started after Sanborn submitted plans to build a larger casino property. State auditors noted that Sanborn used “substandard” bookkeeping practices and that hundreds of thousands of dollars went missing from the company’s accounts and were entered as equipment purchases.
Investigators said they weren’t able to verify what these actual purchases were. Allegations against Sanborn first came to light earlier this year when New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced an investigation into Sanborn’s company, Win Win Win LLC.
Formella, along with the Lottery Commission, said they found “compelling evidence” of COVID relief fraud. Federal investigators are also believed to be looking into the case.
“This case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s role in keeping illegal activity out of New Hampshire’s charitable gaming industry,” said Attorney General Formella. “Our obligation to protect the public demands that we take action against any person who is found to have used their regulated casino to enrich themselves with fraudulently obtained taxpayer funds.”
Sanborn has denied the charges and his attorney said this was his first issue before the Lottery Commission. He argues that only getting a suspension instead of a license revocation shows that the allegations don’t rise to the higher level of punishment.
“That is ultimately what we were fighting about in these proceedings, whether or not the license should be revoked, and the hearing officer decides that it shouldn’t be,” Knights told the Concord Monitor. “So that’s a win for Win Win Win and Mr. Sanborn.”
Sanborn, a native of New Hampshire, served as a republican member of the state senate from 2010 to 2018. His wife Laurie is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
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