Date: December 17, 2024, 09:02h.
Last updated on: December 17, 2024, 09:32h.
In the ongoing dispute concerning the Concord Casino in New Hampshire, lawyers representing the co-owner recently went to court to challenge a ruling that led to the gambling license being revoked.
Andy Sanborn’s legal team argued in a New Hampshire court that the revocation ruling was deemed “unreasonable and unlawful,” according to the Concord Monitor.
The appeal was presented to a Merrimack County Superior Court judge, with hearings likely to be scheduled next year.
Recently, Administrative Judge Gregory Albert ruled in favor of revoking the license.
Claims of Intimidation
Sanborn’s attorneys allege that state officials are trying to obstruct the sale of the charitable casino, despite Sanborn having at least one potential buyer.
Respondents attempted to intimidate buyers (e.g., by suggesting buyers would face criminal liability for conduct alleged to have been undertaken by Petitioners before the sale), undermine the possibility of a sale, and cause delays to run out the clock on the revocation deadline,” according to the appeal filed recently, as per the Monitor.
State officials deny any efforts to impede the sale of the casino. Bettor Investment Group recently made an attempt to acquire Concord Casino, as reported by the Monitor.
About a year ago, Sanborn was instructed to shut down and offload the property following an investigation. The casino’s license was also suspended.
Sanborn was granted extensions to finalize the sale, until last month, when Albert ruled that state officials could proceed with revoking Sanborn’s casino license for two years. Without a license, the sale becomes more challenging for Sanborn to complete, according to New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR).
Legal Battle Ahead
Sanborn’s legal team has promised to contest in court to facilitate the completion of a deal.
Last year, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella conducted an investigation on Sanborn, a former state senator, and his wife, Rep. Laurie Sanborn, for the improper use of $844K in COVID relief loans. Andy Sanborn allegedly used around $182K of the money to purchase two Porsches and a Ferrari, one of which was gifted to his wife, as per officials.
Both Formella and the New Hampshire Lottery Commission have been working towards revoking the casino’s license. Sanborn has not faced charges related to this issue.
In October, Sanborn was arrested for fraudulent use of aid provided to small businesses during the pandemic. He purportedly inflated the casino’s gross receipts by approximately $1M, enabling him to receive an additional $188K from the government fund.