New Hampshire gamblers now have one much less choice after the proprietor of the Concord Casino was stripped of his gaming license and the property was compelled to shut – not less than in the intervening time.
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission suspended proprietor Andy Sanborn’s license for six months and ordered the closing of the on line casino as of Jan. 1. Sanborn can use that point to discover a purchaser for the property in response to the fee, or have his license revoked for 2 years.
Sanborn, a former state senator, is alleged to have misused COVID aid funds, together with buying luxurious automobiles and different monetary irregularities to the tune of greater than $800,000. Auditors additionally alleged Sanborn failed to offer obligatory paperwork to trace the corporate’s funds.
“By making multiple false entries in Concord Casino’s books and records, Concord Casino’s and Mr. Sanborn’s misconduct undermines the public’s confidence in the integrity of charitable gaming in New Hampshire,” lottery officers famous in paperwork pertaining to the case.
“By failing to supply the Division with information and documentation demonstrating Concord Casino’s financial stability by clear and convincing evidence, Concord Casino’s and Mr. Sanborn’s misconduct undermines the public’s confidence in the integrity of charitable gaming in New Hampshire.”
Financial Discrepancies, Luxury Car Purchases
The investigation began after Sanborn submitted plans to construct a bigger on line casino property. State auditors famous that Sanborn used “substandard” bookkeeping practices and that a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} went lacking from the corporate’s accounts and had been entered as gear purchases.
Investigators stated they weren’t capable of confirm what these precise purchases had been. Allegations in opposition to Sanborn first got here to mild earlier this yr when New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella introduced an investigation into Sanborn’s firm, Win Win Win LLC.
Formella, together with the Lottery Commission, stated they discovered “compelling evidence” of COVID aid fraud. Federal investigators are additionally believed to be wanting into the case.
“This case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s role in keeping illegal activity out of New Hampshire’s charitable gaming industry,” stated Attorney General Formella. “Our obligation to protect the public demands that we take action against any person who is found to have used their regulated casino to enrich themselves with fraudulently obtained taxpayer funds.”
Sanborn has denied the fees and his lawyer stated this was his first difficulty earlier than the Lottery Commission. He argues that solely getting a suspension instead of a license revocation reveals that the allegations don’t rise to the upper degree of punishment.
“That is ultimately what we were fighting about in these proceedings, whether or not the license should be revoked, and the hearing officer decides that it shouldn’t be,” Knights advised the Concord Monitor. “So that’s a win for Win Win Win and Mr. Sanborn.”
Sanborn, a local of New Hampshire, served as a republican member of the state senate from 2010 to 2018. His spouse Laurie is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
