Andy Sanborn Guilty of Misusing Pandemic Funds

Andy Sanborn, a former New Hampshire state senator and casino owner, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of misusing federal pandemic relief funds intended for his business operations. The charges, announced by federal authorities, stem from Sanborn’s use of more than $250,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funding for personal expenses, including the purchase of a Porsche.

Sanborn’s company, Win Win Win, operating as Concord Casino, received $844,000 in EIDL funds from the Small Business Administration nearly four years ago. Federal prosecutors allege that $255,232.72 of this funding was diverted to personal expenditures rather than being used solely for the casino’s working capital, as certified during the loan application process.

Details of the Alleged Misuse

Court records indicate that on January 18, 2022, Sanborn purchased a 2006 Porsche Cayman with EIDL funds. Additional funds were reportedly spent on car parts, rent payments to his own businesses, and engineering services related to his casino project. While Sanborn’s plea agreement specifically notes the Porsche purchase, other details from New Hampshire Lottery Commission records reveal a broader pattern of personal expenditures.

Sanborn faces one count of passing a check without sufficient funds and one count of theft of government funds exceeding $100,000. The charges carry potential penalties of up to ten years in prison and fines up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of one year and one day under the plea agreement.

The agreement also shields Sanborn’s wife, former House member Laurie Sanborn, from potential criminal liability. Sanborn continues to challenge the revocation of his casino license in the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The case is part of a wider federal initiative to prosecute fraud involving pandemic relief funds. The Department of Justice’s recently established National Fraud Enforcement Division focuses specifically on investigating and prosecuting misuse of federal benefits. This division operates alongside the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

According to New Hampshire Public Radio, previous cases in New Hampshire under similar programs include guilty pleas and sentences for individuals attempting to defraud pandemic assistance programs, with amounts ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars. For instance, Heath Gauthier pleaded guilty to applying for over $1 million in aid for non-existent companies, while Pierre Rogers was sentenced to 41 months for a conspiracy involving $4.8 million in relief applications.

Implications for Sanborn and the Gaming Industry

Sanborn’s decision to plead guilty marks a significant shift from his earlier stance, in which he denied wrongdoing following state-level fraud allegations in 2023 that led to the closure of Concord Casino. The federal charges highlight the ongoing scrutiny of high-profile business figures and the consequences of diverting funds intended for pandemic relief.

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission’s permanent revocation of Sanborn’s gaming license underscores the lasting regulatory and legal repercussions for operators who fail to comply with financial and licensing requirements. This case reinforces the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that pandemic aid reaches its intended recipients rather than being misappropriated for personal use.