The supervisor of inspectors at Maine’s two casinos was placed on leave earlier in August for undisclosed reasons, the latest development in months of tension between staff and the state’s top gambling regulator.
Officials have not shared more details on why casino inspector supervisor Vicki Gardner was put on leave, according to Steve Silver, who chairs the Maine Gambling Control Unit Board. Silver said neither Gambling Control Unit Executive Director Milt Champion nor Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck have given him additional specifics.
It comes after inspectors complained earlier this summer about Champion’s decision to change their schedules to only have casinos — rather than state inspectors — monitor for irregular activity on Sundays and Mondays. The change removed holiday and overtime pay while creating what the state employee union called a hostile work environment featuring retaliation.
“The inability for the board to access information about key personnel decisions by the state frustrates our ability to properly regulate casino gambling,” Silver, a Portland-based gaming lawyer, said Thursday.
Neither Champion nor a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety responded to a request for comment. The Maine Service Employees Association, which represents inspectors, did not provide more information Thursday on Gardner’s situation.
The union previously filed grievances that are pending related to claims the nine inspectors who work at Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor have faced retaliation and hostility.
Champion, who was hired in 2016 under former Republican Gov. Paul LePage and has continued under Democrat Janet Mills, has also received pressure from Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, over how Maine has yet to launch in-person sports betting two years after lawmakers OKed it in a deal giving the Wabanaki Nations online control of the lucrative market.
Gambling Control Board members grew frustrated at times after questioning Sauschuck and Champion during a monthly meeting Tuesday about the schedule changes. Silver said “it doesn’t add up,” while another board member noted Sundays are busy for casinos.
If the state feels the switch ends up not working, then “that may change down the road,” Sauschuck said, denying that “something is behind the curtain here.” Sauschuck also acknowledged the board has authority over Champion and his proposals.
Baldacci said in an interview he remains concerned with Champion and the direction of the agency.
“I continue to be disturbed by the pattern of behavior that I’ve seen, which is basically to ignore the public, ignore public comments, ignore questions from legislators and to do exactly what you want to do without oversight, and that should be unacceptable in Maine,” Baldacci said.
