A New Hampshire nonprofit organization associated with a former state House speaker now faces scrutiny for allegedly failing to fulfill its legal duty to support local communities and using charity funds for unknown purposes. This potential misconduct reportedly continued for years, raising questions about how New Hampshire monitors the use of charitable gaming contributions.
The Organization Had No Visible Presence
This newest controversy centers on George B. Roberts Jr., a former New Hampshire House speaker. According to a recent Concord Monitor report, the Concord Coach Society, a nonprofit tied to Roberts, received $274,411 in charitable gaming donations. However, the organization allegedly had little to no record of how it actually used these funds, raising significant transparency concerns.
The Monitor’s investigation found no evidence that the Concord Coach Society engaged in any community-facing efforts expected of a nonprofit. Confusingly, and perhaps intentionally, it uses the former name of the Concord-based Abbot-Downing Historical Society, a nonprofit with a storied history in preservation and education that performs regular public presentations.
Adding to these allegations is the fact that the Concord Coach Society has no visible online presence, as nearly all search results refer to the Abbot-Downing Historical Society. While the nonprofit is registered at Roberts’ home address, the property shows no sign of the organization’s existence or its stated mission to educate the public about horse-drawn vehicles and their role in the development of the USA.
An Official Investigation Is Not Yet Underway
According to the Monitor report, a significant portion of the Concord Coach Society’s proceeds came from the Nash, one of the state’s most prominent casinos. One former casino owner was allegedly contacted directly by Roberts, who convinced him that his nonprofit was legitimate and worthy of support. However, the organization’s misleading name might have lent it false credibility.
New Hampshire charities face fairly lax registration standards and oversight. With details on how recipients of gaming contributions often remain opaque, critics are calling for clearer reporting requirements to ensure these organizations are fulfilling their public duty. Six-figure payments to organizations with no visible presence risk undermining public trust.
While the Monitor’s investigation paints a rather damning picture of the Concord Coach Society, no official investigation has been launched, and the alleged misconduct remains unconfirmed. However, the report could prompt a review by the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission, which oversees the state’s gaming sector. Such a move would go a long way toward restoring public confidence in the system.