Bedford State Rep. Sanborn Resigns From Gaming Study Committee

CONCORD, NH — An influential state political leader and who is also involved in a charity gaming casino in Concord has resigned from a new commission study changes to the industry.

But that might not be enough in the minds of some.

House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, accepted the resignation of state Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford, from the chairwoman’s position at the newly created Commission to Study the Effect of Recent Changes Made to the Charitable Gaming Laws. The committee also includes the Newly Authorized Historical Horse Races.

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The appointment of Laurie Sanborn caught the ire of some Democrats at the Statehouse before accusations against her husband, former state Sen. Andy Sanborn, was deemed “not suitable” to be associated with charitable gaming in the state after a routine inspection of records led to accusations that he used $844,000 in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds to purchase two Porsche 987 Cayman S and a Ferrari F430 challenge racer for his wife. A review also found other issues, including $45,500 in vehicle parts and services, “cash distributions disguised as rent payments to two of the licensee’s affiliates,” and $28,800 in engineering and geotechnical services for the new complex proposal.

The Sanborns have been running the Concord Casino since 2018 and recently had plans approved to expand with a luxury restaurant and hotel on the east side of the city on an unused parcel that is currently a homeless camp on Break O’Day Drive, near the intersection of Interstate 393, Route 106, and Loudon Road. Opponents of the project have filed a civil lawsuit in Merrimack County Superior Court, challenging the city's approval of the permit for the casino. According to the most recent planning board agenda, posted outside City Hall, Sanborn will petition the city to rescind approval.

“Given its importance, I feel it was appropriate for Rep. Sanborn to resign as chair of the Commission to Study the Effect of Recent Changes Made to the Charitable Gaming Laws at this time,” Packard said, “so there will be no distractions from the good work they intend to do.”

House Democratic Leader State Rep. Matt Wilhelm, D-Manchester, called for her to be removed on Thursday.

Andy Sanborn said he disagreed with the statements in the report and welcomed an examination, adding he was confident their actions were transparent and legal.

State officials have opened a criminal investigation of the “relief fraud” and also passed on its report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Michael Strand, who was elected to a one-year Bedford town council seat in March, and is the former Democratic town chairman in Peterborough, suggested Laurie Sanborn should resign if the allegations are true. Speaking on behalf of himself and constituents, and not for the town or council, he called the allegations “serious and egregious in nature,” especially since those emergency relief funds were supposed to be for small businesses and not private luxury purchases.

“I believe in due process and that the Sanborns are innocent until proven otherwise,” he said. “However, if these allegations are true, Rep. Sanborn must resign from her elected position immediately and retire from any active career in public service.”

Strand added that “serious questions must now be asked” about the couple’s voting records during their time in elected positions to ensure “any conflicts of interest uncovered.”

Strand said, “The public trust must be restored.”

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