Crime
Based on the investigation, Sanborn fraudulently obtained $844,000 in funding from the Small Enterprise Administration between December 2021 and February 2022.
![Republican hopeful for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District Andy Sanborn at a debate in 2018.](https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/State_Senator_Fraud_87502-64f0f6e3cb017-768x432.jpg)
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A former state senator was accused Thursday of mendacity as a way to get a COVID-19 aid mortgage for his on line casino and utilizing the cash to purchase luxurious automobiles for himself and his spouse, a Republican chief within the New Hampshire Home.
The allegations in opposition to former Sen. Andy Sanborn have been introduced by the legal professional basic’s workplace, which opinions the homeowners of charitable gaming companies each 5 years. Sanborn owns the Harmony On line casino inside The Draft Sports activities Bar and Grill in Harmony and is searching for to open a a lot bigger venue a couple of miles away, however the state lottery fee is now transferring to completely ban him from working any such enterprise.
In an electronic mail, Sanborn mentioned he strongly disagrees with the fee’s findings and welcomes the prospect to problem them at a listening to.
“I’ve full confidence our actions have been clear and in full accordance of the legislation,” he mentioned.
Within the meantime, federal authorities have been notified, and the state has begun a prison investigation, mentioned Lawyer Normal John Formella.
“This case highlights the significance of legislation enforcement’s function in preserving criminal activity out of New Hampshire’s charitable gaming business,” he mentioned in a press release. “Our obligation to guard the general public calls for that we take motion in opposition to any one who is discovered to have used their regulated on line casino to counterpoint themselves with fraudulently obtained taxpayer funds.”
Sanborn, of Bedford, served 4 phrases within the state Senate earlier than unsuccessfully operating for Congress in 2018. His spouse, Laurie Sanborn, is in her seventh time period within the Home, the place she serves as speaker professional tempore and chair of the Methods and Means Committee. She didn’t reply to an electronic mail searching for remark Thursday, and her cellphone was not accepting new voicemail messages.
Based on the investigation, Sanborn fraudulently obtained $844,000 in funding from the Small Enterprise Administration between December 2021 and February 2022. Casinos and charitable gaming services weren’t eligible for such loans, however Sanborn omitted his enterprise title, “Harmony On line casino,” from his utility and listed his main enterprise exercise as “miscellaneous companies.”
In his electronic mail, Sanborn mentioned he did his due diligence to make sure compliance with the appliance’s necessities.
“Like so many companies and organizations we utilized for federal aid to help in assembly the operational challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he mentioned.
He’s accused of spending $181,000 on two Porsche race automobiles and $80,000 on a Ferrari for his spouse. Sanborn additionally paid himself greater than $183,000 for what he characterised as hire for his Harmony properties, the legal professional basic mentioned.
In June, the Harmony Planning Board accepted his proposal to construct a 24,000-square-foot (2,230-square-meter) on line casino and restaurant, with the potential of including a resort and occasion middle. Based on the Harmony Monitor, the board had been contemplating the proposal for months when Sanborn compelled a vote regardless of some members’ considerations a few lack of public vetting. A metropolis spokesperson mentioned officers are evaluating the affect of the legal professional basic’s report on that call.
Rep. Matt Wilhelm, the Home Democratic chief, mentioned the legal professional basic’s report was deeply regarding and known as on Home Speaker Sherm Packard to take away Laurie Sanborn from a fee finding out charitable gaming legal guidelines. Home Republican leaders didn’t reply to a request for remark.