Former New Hampshire Senator Escalates Legal Battle

Former New Hampshire Senator Andy Sanborn’s legal fights have taken another dramatic twist as he steps up his battle with the state’s Attorney General, John Formella. Sanborn, who faces accusations of COVID relief fraud and is under orders to sell his Concord Casino, raised the stakes when he filed a new civil lawsuit against New Hampshire’s top law enforcement official.

Sanborn Has a History of Controversy
Sanborn’s legal troubles began last year when Attorney General Formella accused him and his wife, State Representative Laurie Sanborn, of defrauding the government of $844,000 in COVID relief funds. According to the accusations, the couple spent all of the funds borrowed for their Concord Casino on personal expenses, such as luxury sports cars and inflated rent payments to themselves.

Sanborn defended the rent increases, stating they were necessary due to a modest increase in the casino’s floor space. The lease agreement initially set rent at $500 per month. However, the sum eventually rose to $30,000 monthly. The state discovered that these inflated payments began before he received any COVID relief funds, casting further doubt on his financial practices.

The Sanborns have denied any wrongdoing and have not been criminally charged to date. However, the state moved to revoke the casino’s gambling license, citing the alleged fraud. In December 2023, Administrative Law hearing officer Michael King ruled against Sanborn, stating that his actions “undermined the public confidence in charitable gaming.”

Concord Casino Faces a Fast-Approaching Deadline
The new lawsuit, filed in Merrimack Superior Court on 30 July 2024, is shrouded in secrecy, with nearly all documents sealed from public view. Sanborn and his legal team have declined to comment on the case’s specifics. The ex-senator is reportedly seeking an injunction to prevent the state from taking further action against him.

Sanborn currently faces a deadline of 30 September to sell his Concord Casino as he continues to battle with the Attorney General’s Office. Unfortunately, the risk of potential criminal charges could scare off potential buyers. If Sanborn fails to sell the casino by the September deadline, his gaming license will expire, leaving him with no business to sell.

The ex-senator’s attorneys have poured more fuel into the fire by accusing the state of trying to interfere with the sale out of spite. This latest chapter in Sanborn’s legal saga continues his history of controversy, which includes accusations of sexual harassment and bribery. The outcome of this legal battle could determine the fate of Concord Casino and define Sanborn’s future in business and politics.