Concord, N.H. — Former New Hampshire state senator Andy Sanborn faces serious legal challenges following his recent indictment on felony charges, as allegations of financial deceit surrounding COVID-19 relief funds come to light. Sanborn, along with his associated casino business, stands accused of misrepresenting financial details to illicitly gain nearly $200,000 in government grants.
Authorities allege that Sanborn falsified revenue figures on an application submitted June 2020 for the Main Street Relief Fund—a grant aimed to assist businesses struggling due to the pandemic. The indictments suggest that Sanborn exaggerated his casino’s income by over $1 million to qualify for the financial aid.
The casino, operated under Sanborn’s company, Win Win Win LLC, reportedly claimed to have been operational for over a year, a key criterion for the relief fund eligibility, which the prosecutors now contest. The repercussions for Win Win Win LLC extend beyond reputational damage, as these actions might also jeopardize its gaming license and disrupt pending plans to sell the casino business.
Charged with theft by deception on both a personal level and through his company, Sanborn also contends with accusations from a separate investigation. In this previous case, he is alleged to have misused another federal COVID relief loan of $844,000 on personal luxuries such as sports cars and car equipment, and to have siphoned funds through his companies to prepay approximately two decades’ worth of rent.
The array of charges could have long-term legal and financial implications for Sanborn, who is mandated by state authorities to divest his ownership in the Concord Casino following these fraudulent activities.
Sanborn is scheduled for an arraignment next week, where he will face these allegations in court. As this case unfolds, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny and legal consequences for misappropriations of COVID-related financial aid, a priority for law enforcement agencies in the wake of the pandemic’s economic impact.
The situation with Andy Sanborn serves as a cautionary tale on the vigilance required in the management and auditing of pandemic relief funds, aimed to support genuinely struggling businesses rather than enrich individual proprietors.
Legal experts suggest that the scrutiny of COVID relief fund applications is likely to increase as federal and state agencies work to reclaim unlawfully obtained funds and prosecute fraud, ensuring that relief efforts are not squandered.
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