In a significant development for the gambling community, a New Hampshire judge has handed former state Senator Andy Sanborn an unexpected ace, granting him more time to shuffle his deck and sell the Concord Casino, amidst ongoing legal drama and regulatory scrutiny.
Sanborn’s Casino Sale Extension: A Hot Topic for Accountability
Judge Gregory Albert came down with a ruling that’s sure to stir the pot. In a move reported by the New Hampshire Bulletin, Albert has extended the timeline for Sanborn to finalize the sale of his casino, citing the potential benefits to public schools and charities that thrive on casino funding. This decision, however, has ruffled the feathers of state authorities who are not thrilled with the idea.
The crux of Sanborn’s troubles centers on allegations that he dipped into $844,000 of federal COVID-19 relief funds, splurging on luxury items including high-end sports cars, instead of the intended purposes. The clock is ticking, and if an agreement isn’t reached by the state-imposed deadline of September 30, the gaming license will take a two-year hiatus, rendering the business practically worthless.
Despite the state’s contention that giving Sanborn extra time this move would be like handing him a lifeline, Judge Albert stood firm. He emphasized that Sanborn, who holds the casino’s reins, is entitled to the proceeds from a sale that could keep funds flowing into charitable coffers. Last year alone, nearly 30 charities scored around $170,000 before the casino closed its doors.
Sanborn’s Legal Team: Cheers and Optimism
Sanborn’s attorneys, Zachary Hafer and Adam Katz, initially sought a straightforward deadline extension, but Judge Albert clarified his hand was tied in granting one. Instead, Albert hit the pause button on his ruling, allowing Sanborn to seek a rehearing. With either side having the option to request a rehearing within 15 workdays, this pause could extend up to 50 days—potentially providing Sanborn with the extra time needed to seal the deal.
The ball is now in the court of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, who oversees the suitability of the new buyer’s gaming license approval. While they indicated that their background check on the potential buyer might wrap up by September 30, they stopped short of guaranteeing it. Prospective buyers have shown trepidation, akin to a gambler wary of a rigged game, due to the looming shadow of Sanborn’s legal entanglements.
The thorny legal issues stem from allegations that Sanborn misappropriated federal COVID-19 loans, with the Attorney General’s office pointing out that he lavished roughly $182,000 of these funds on opulent cars, including a Ferrari gifted to his wife, state Rep. Laurie Sanborn. Interestingly, formal charges have yet to be pressed, adding another layer of intrigue to the saga.
Judge Albert’s recent decision piles onto an earlier court ruling. Last year, another administrative judge, Michael King, had suspended Sanborn’s license while giving him a window to offload the business. Albert’s latest ruling could push the sales deadline out to mid-November, keeping the legal circus rolling.
Ever the optimists, Sanborn’s legal team expressed gratitude towards the court for providing the additional time to close the deal, holding onto the hope that they might just turn these rocky cards into a winning hand.
