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Former New Hampshire state senator and casino operator Andy Sanborn has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing government funds after admitting that he diverted more than $255,000 in federal COVID-19 relief money for personal spending rather than business purposes.
Sanborn, 64, entered a guilty plea on July 8 to a charge of Theft of Government Funds. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for October 15, 2026. According to the plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a prison term of one year and one day.
The case centers on federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funding that Sanborn obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic through Win Win Win, the company that owned and operated Concord Casino in New Hampshire. Authorities said he received a total of $844,000 in funding from the Small Business Administration after certifying that the proceeds would be used as working capital for the business.
Federal prosecutors stated that Sanborn instead spent a portion of the funds on personal expenses, including the purchase of a luxury sports car.
Investigation Focused on Pandemic Relief Spending
According to court filings, Sanborn improperly used $255,232.72 from the federal relief program for personal expenditures. Prosecutors highlighted one example in which he used $48,750 of the loan funds on January 18, 2022, to purchase a 2006 Porsche Cayman.
State investigators have previously alleged that Sanborn and his wife, Laurie Sanborn, acquired multiple luxury vehicles using funds connected to the scheme, including two Porsche vehicles and a Ferrari.
Federal authorities said the relief funding was intended to help businesses remain operational during the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.
U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan emphasized the government’s commitment to pursuing benefit fraud cases.
“This office is dedicated to combating fraud and prosecuting those who wrongfully take money from American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan according to WMUR. “Today’s conviction was the result of incredible work done by a dedicated team of agents. We and our law enforcement partners will continue to diligently investigate those who target federal benefits programs.”
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation included the FBI, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, said:
“This casino owner must’ve thought he hit the jackpot when he got more than a quarter of a million dollars set aside to keep businesses afloat amid a pandemic battering our economy. But the odds and the FBI finally caught up with him when he misused that money for his own financial gain.
The FBI simply won’t stand for opportunists thinking they can defraud the federal government, live large, and get away with it. We will aggressively pursue anyone foolish enough to do so.”
Federal Plea Ends One Case but State Charges Continue
The federal plea resolves one portion of the legal issues facing Sanborn, although separate state-level allegations remain unresolved. As part of the plea agreement, federal prosecutors agreed not to pursue criminal charges against Laurie Sanborn or Concord Casino.
However, New Hampshire authorities continue to pursue a separate felony theft-by-deception case filed in October 2024. In that matter, prosecutors allege that Sanborn overstated business revenue figures in order to secure additional assistance from the state’s Main Street Relief Fund.
Investigators claim the alleged misrepresentations resulted in approximately $188,000 in excess relief payments. Authorities have also alleged that some of those funds were used to pay down the mortgage on a lakefront property in Laconia owned by Laurie Sanborn.
Sanborn is scheduled to stand trial on the state charges in February 2027.
Casino Expansion Plans Collapsed Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
The criminal investigations also had significant consequences for Sanborn’s gaming business interests.
At the time allegations first became public, Sanborn was seeking approval for a substantially larger charitable gaming development in Concord. Those plans unraveled after regulators determined that he was unsuitable to hold a gaming license.
In December 2023, state regulators ordered the closure of Concord Casino and instructed Sanborn to sell the property within six months to an approved buyer. The casino has remained closed after regulators blocked a proposed sale to an unidentified purchaser.
Federal officials said Sanborn’s actions diverted money away from the purpose for which the pandemic assistance programs were established.
Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office, said:
“Today’s guilty plea of Andy Sanborn demonstrates IRS-CI’s continued commitment to root out fraud and theft from the United States Government at all levels. Sanborn misappropriated federal funds designated to aid small business owners in their time of need, during a global pandemic. Instead of using these funds for their intended purpose and invest in his own business, Sanborn selfishly decided to use these funds for his own self-enrichment and to purchase luxury items.”
Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, added:
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service routinely seeks prosecution of individuals like Anthony Sanborn, who misused funds that were designated to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Postal Inspectors, alongside our federal partners, uncovered a scheme where Sanborn spent over a quarter of a million dollars of the funds on personal expenses. We will continue to support and collaborate with our federal law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of schemes.”
The theft charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever amount is greater. The final sentence will be determined by the federal court in October based on applicable statutes and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.