The legal drama surrounding former New Hampshire state senator and Concord Casino owner Andy Sanborn is coming to an end as he pleaded guilty to diverting $250,000 of COVID-19 relief funds for his personal use. State officials previously declared him unfit to continue operating in charitable gaming, while Concord Casino has closed its doors.
The Investigation Included Multiple Agencies
According to the US Attorney’s Office, Sanborn had received $844,000 in relief funds during the pandemic. The former politician insisted that these funds would support his business, the Concord Casino. However, federal investigations revealed that he misused over $250,000 of these funds, reportedly even purchasing a luxury car.
Details surrounding Sanborn’s alleged misuse of state funds first surfaced in 2023 when the state’s Attorney General, John Formella, raised formal charges against him and his wife. The resulting investigation involved several agencies, including the FBI, the IRS, and the US Postal Inspection Service. Their accumulated evidence was critical in uncovering the details surrounding the case.
The accusations of fraud did little to help Sanborn’s business. In 2024, New Hampshire moved to revoke his casino license, citing the investigation. State officials declared him unfit to conduct charitable gaming, forcing him to attempt to sell the business. However, these efforts fell through, and the venue was forced to close its doors. Perhaps permanently.
Pleading Guilty Will Lead to a Much Shorter Sentence
Sanborn’s admission to Theft of Government Funds usually carries a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars plus a fine of up to twice the misappropriated amount. However, prosecutor Alexander Chen revealed that the guilty plea agreement would reduce that to roughly 10 months in prison and require full repayment of the funds plus interest.
The plea agreement reportedly also absolves Concord Casino and Sanborn’s wife of any potential criminal liability. However, his troubles are far from over. A separate lawsuit by the Attorney General’s Office accuses Sanborn of manipulating the financial details of his business to receive increased relief funds. That trial should begin in early 2027.
Sanborn declined to comment at the end of the plea hearing. He has been released on bail but has been forbidden from leaving the country. However, the closure of Concord Casino means that the state will lose potential revenue that could have supported public education and local initiatives. With the property now stuck in limbo and the looming state lawsuit, its fate remains uncertain.