Former US senator pleads guilty in COVID relief fraud case
Former New Hampshire state senator and casino owner Andy Sanborn has pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of government funds, admitting he misused COVID-19 relief loans for personal luxuries, including a Porsche sports car.
Sanborn, charged last May, received $844,000 in pandemic relief loans from the Small Business Administration. Prosecutors say he diverted about $255,000 from his business, the now-closed Concord Casino, to cover personal expenses.
Court filings show Sanborn spent more than $48,000 on a 2006 Porsche Cayman, wiring funds to a Florida seller. He also purchased two additional luxury vehicles, including one gifted to his wife, Laurie Sanborn, a former state representative. The investigation was led by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, according to the Department of Justice.
Sanborn served as a Republican state senator from 2010 to 2018, representing Districts 7 and 9. Known as one of the chamber’s most conservative voices, he chaired the Senate Ways and Means Committee and later ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018.
Sentencing recommendation
U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said the case underscores efforts to safeguard taxpayer money: “This office is dedicated to combating fraud and prosecuting those who wrongfully take money from American taxpayers.” FBI Special Agent Ted E. Docks added: “This casino owner must’ve thought he hit the jackpot… but the odds and the FBI finally caught up with him.”
IRS officials noted Sanborn’s “self-enrichment” during a period when relief funds were meant to sustain struggling small businesses.
Prosecutors confirmed a plea deal recommending one year and one day in prison. Judge Landya McCaffery indicated Sanborn could serve as little as 10 months with good behaviour. He must also pay full restitution of $255,000. The statutory maximum penalty for theft of government funds is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sanborn was released on personal recognizance pending sentencing in October 2026.
State-level charges
Beyond federal charges, the State of New Hampshire has filed its own case, with trial set for February 2027. The federal plea followed an eight-month state probe that uncovered fraudulent loan applications, according to NHPR.
Regulators have also revoked Sanborn’s gaming licence, permanently barring him from future casino operations. The closure of Concord Casino had a significant impact on New Hampshire’s charitable gaming system, stripping dozens of nonprofits of a steady funding source and sparking regulatory reforms.
In the past, about 30 charities partnered with Concord Casino to raise funds for scholarships, disability camps, and community programmes. Under state law, casinos must share proceeds with nonprofits. The loss of Concord Casino, one of 14 venues statewide, intensified competition among charities for limited slots, disrupted local tax revenue, and left the gaming industry in flux.
Other casinos, particularly in Nashua, have since expanded operations, with one venue at Pheasant Lane Mall expected to become the largest in the state, according to the Concord Monitor. Communities remain divided: some welcome casino growth for revenue, while others oppose gambling establishments altogether.
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