The attorney general's office is investigating a former state senator and his wife, a current New Hampshire state representative, over alleged fraudulent use of COVID-19 relief funds.Former Republican state Sen. Andy Sanborn allegedly took more than $800,000 and used some of that money to buy race cars, according to the attorney general's office.The attorney general said there could be federal and state charges in the case, but the information is just now being referred for criminal investigation.Officials from the attorney general's office said that a monthslong investigation found that Sanborn is not suitable to be associated with charitable gaming in New Hampshire.Sanborn is the owner of the Concord Casino and the principal of Win, Win, Win LLC.During a suitability review of the Concord Casino, the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the Lottery Commission found what they called "compelling evidence" of COVID-19 relief fraud.The attorney general said further investigation found evidence that Sanborn fraudulently applied for and received at least one Economic Injury Disaster Loan for $844,000 and used those taxpayer dollars to purchase at least three race cars: two Porsche 987 Cayman S racers and a Ferrari F430 challenge racer for his wife, state Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford.Other expenditures flagged by the attorney general's office include alleged cash distributions to Andy Sanborn disguised as rent payments and the purchase of engineering and geotechnical services for a proposed new casino in Concord.The attorney general's office said the federal funds were not eligible to be used for casinos. "This case really highlights the importance of law enforcement's role in keeping illegal activity out of New Hampshire's charitable gaming industry," said Attorney General John Formella. "We have a really important public protection role, and because of that, we're going to take action against anyone who would use the gaming industry to enrich themselves through illegal means."In a written statement, Andy Sanborn said he believes he did nothing wrong."Like so many businesses and organizations, we applied for federal relief to assist in meeting the operational challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the process, we did our due diligence to ensure compliance with all application requirements and standards," he said in the statement. "While I strongly disagree with the Commission's statements, I welcome the examination ahead as I have full confidence our actions were transparent and in complete accordance of the law."While the case is being referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for criminal charges, the attorney general's office has opened its own criminal investigation, including a review by the public integrity unit, which would focus on Rep. Laurie Sanborn.She was just elected chairwoman of the newly formed Charitable Gaming Commission, which held its first meeting earlier this month. Democrats are calling on the House speaker to remove her from that position.Andy Sanborn now has 10 days to request a hearing before the Lottery Commission and the attorney general to discuss the findings of the suitability review. He faces an indefinite ban as a gaming licensee. A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Lottery told News 9 that it assisted the attorney general's office with the investigation and is "committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity across all gaming operations."