New Hampshire Authorities Accused of Blocking Concord Casino Sale

Posted on: November 12, 2024, 03:39h. 

Last updated on: November 12, 2024, 03:39h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The planned sale of Concord Casino has hit new roadblocks with the current owner’s attorneys putting the blame on New Hampshire state officials.

Casino owner Andy Sanborn was ordered to find a buyer for the charitable gaming property after his casino license was suspended.

The likely buyer of the casino has not been named publicly. But the person has been involved in the pre-sale meetings.

Sanborn Wants to Sell

Sanborn is eager to sell the property, and there’s an interested buyer, according to Sanborn’s legal team.

“There is no criticism of the buyer’s background,” Attorney Adam Katz, who represents Sanborn, was quoted by New Hampshire Public Radio. “There is no criticism of the buyer’s credentials. There is not one blemish on the buyer’s record that the suitability letter cites. The buyer is spotless from the perspective of the state.”

He [Sanborn] wants to put this mess far in the rearview mirror,” Katz added. “Mr. Sanborn clearly has worked to sell. The only problem is the chicanery from the state.”

State Not Preventing Sale

But New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Jessica King disagrees.

“There is no evidence the state is actually trying to prevent anything,” she said. “This narrative that the state is trying to obstruct and prevent the sale is simply false.”

She explained the New Hampshire Lottery Commission met with the buyer, “many, many, many times,” according to the New Hampshire Journal. The new owner must be approved by the state.

“It [the commission] has had constant communication with the buyer. It has gone out of its way to ensure that the buyer had all of the things necessary to complete a suitability determination, and thereafter has continued to talk to the buyer,” she added.

The issues were the subject of a hearing on Friday before Hearing Officer Gregory Albert. As the two sides continue to fight, Sanborn has been given extensions to complete the sale of the casino. 

Last year, Administrative Hearing Officer Michael King told Sanborn to sell the casino within six months.

In October, Sanborn was indicted on state theft charges for allegedly inflating his revenue in order to qualify for state COVID funds, getting about $140K more than he was entitled.

State officials also have investigated Sanborn, a former state senator, for how he spent $844K in COVID relief funds earmarked for the Concord Casino.

He used some of the money to allegedly buy two Porsche cars and a Ferrari. The Ferrari was for his wife, Laurie Sanborn, a state representative, authorities said. The relief fund wasn’t meant to be used for casinos, officials claim.