Former State Sen. Andy Sanborn of Bedford was taken into custody on Oct. 16 for wrongfully receiving more than $188,000 from the state’s Main Street Relief Fund. Courtesy photo/New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office

BEDFORD – Former State Sen. Andy Sanborn was taken into custody on Oct. 16 when authorities allegedly discovered that he unlawfully garnered $188,474 in additional money from the state’s Main Street Relief Fund.

The purpose of the fund was to provide “economic support to New Hampshire small businesses suffering from interruptions as a result of COVID-19.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Sanborn, a Bedford resident and owner of Concord Casino, received the money in 2020 by misrepresenting the casino’s gross receipts by approximately $1 million.

He has since been charged with theft by deception.

Under state law, if convicted, Sanborn could face up to 15 years in prison, up to five years of probation and a fine of up to $4,000.

In August 2023, Sanborn was accused of wrongfully receiving $844,000 in COVID-19 relief funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those funds were allegedly paid out between December 2021 and February 2022.

Since casinos and charitable gaming organizations did not qualify for COVID-19 relief, Sanborn chose not include the business name on the funding application. Rather, he wrote “miscellaneous services” in its place.

After receiving the money, Sanborn allegedly spent $181,000 on two Porsches and $80,000 on a Ferrari for his wife, State Rep. Laurie Sanborn. In addition, he used another $183,000 to pay expenses on properties he owns in Concord.

The casino was shut down by the state Lottery Commission in December 2023. Sanborn’s charitable gaming license was suspended for six months and he was ordered to sell the casino.

During his eight years in the Senate, Sanborn represented District 7 from 2010 to 2012 and District 9 from 2012 to 2018.