Maine casino inspectors have signed a letter expressing no confidence in the head of the state’s gambling control unit, saying they have been subject to a toxic work environment and questioning the unit’s ability to properly regulate casinos under his leadership.

Maine casino inspectors took aim at Gambling Control Unit Executive Director Milton Champion in letter

The letter was made public Wednesday with a statement in which the union representing the inspectors called out Maine Gambling Control Unit Executive Director Milton Champion. The union said all nine casino inspectors signed the letter.

Champion has served as executive director since 2016. According to the letter, Champion “does not respect the oversight role of the Maine Gambling Control Board.” He’s “circumventing the Board altogether” as well.

“We must make it known that Milton Champion has repeatedly shown a lack of respect for our legal rights and processes spelled out in our union contract, has retaliated against us individually and as a group, and has created a deeply dysfunctional and toxic workplace environment,” the letter states.

State Senator Joe Baldacci, who serves on the Maine Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee, agrees with the letter.

“I support the difficult decision of a ‘no-confidence vote’ made by our Public Safety Casino Inspectors following the impossible situations they have been put in over the past few months by their Director, Milton Champion,” Baldacci said.

“I am calling for accountability and for a return to full-coverage staffing within our casinos so that our Public Safety Inspectors can better serve our casinos and patrons.”

Champion did not respond to an email or a phone message addressing the letter

Champion did not respond to an email or a phone message left at the Gambling Control Unit Wednesday. Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the department, said Wednesday afternoon that the department had not received the letter. “If we do, we’ll review it,” Moss said.

The letter isn’t addressed to anyone in particular, according to Rachel Ohm of the Portland Press Herald. Frankie St. Amand, a representative for the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, said the letter’s primary target is state lawmakers and other stakeholders, along with the Maine Gambling Control Board and the department.

St. Amand said the department has already been made aware of the issues the letter raises. The inspectors are calling for Champion’s removal. “They do not think he is able to competently lead the department,” St. Amand said.

The inspectors who signed the letter work at the Oxford Casino in Oxford and the Hollywood Casino in Bangor. They say Champion “has actively demonstrated an eagerness to deregulate casinos in Maine without input from the voting public and with little-to-no guidance to our casino partners on how to conduct business.”

Maine casino inspectors have pending grievances filed over Champion’s refusal to pay them correctly

Additionally, the inspectors said they have pending grievances filed over Champion’s refusal to pay them correctly. They said Champion has refused to continue negotiations around changes affecting schedules and pay.

“This inaction has eroded trust between employees and the department and has emboldened Milton Champion to continue the toxic work environment he has created,” the letter said.

The casino inspectors have a combined 97 years of state government service, according to the union’s news release. The five assigned to Oxford Casino have 51 years of service. Of course, the four who work at Hollywood Casino Bangor have worked there for 46 years.

Schedule changes are preventing the inspectors from inspecting Maine’s casinos on Sundays and Mondays, according to the news release.

“Mr. Champion is not listening or hearing [inspectors’] concerns about the schedule changes that have left Maine’s casinos without any oversight on Sundays and Mondays,” Mark Brunton, president of Local 1989, said in the statement.

“Casino gambling in Maine was a highly contentious issue in Maine in 2003 when it was passed by voters and legalized. One of the concerns was to make sure it was well-regulated to protect the citizens of Maine. That’s the important role that our inspectors play. They need to be on the job whenever the casinos are open.”

Board rules specifically require an on-site inspector to respond to certain tasks during day-to-day operations

Casino inspectors’ presence is required for much of the casinos’ day-to-day operations. Both casinos still have significant concerns regarding “how they remain in compliance with state regulations without inspectors present.”

Steven Silver, chair of the Gambling Control Board, said in an interview that he saw the letter Wednesday morning. Silver said the board has been working for months to try and rectify issues with the schedule change.

He said board rules specifically require an on-site inspector to respond to certain tasks, such as large jackpot payouts and shipments of new machines. The casinos later contacted the board for assistance.

Silver said he has concerns about the schedule change. However, he didn’t know if the change was made unilaterally by Champion or if it was something that would require union negotiations.

“Up until now, from a purely operational standpoint, things have been running very smoothly and very profitably under Director Champion,” Silver said.

Champion was suspended in the past for inappropriate social media posts

Silver said he has heard complaints about a hostile work environment and “employment issues.” Though, personnel decisions rest with the Department of Public Safety, not the board.

Champion does have a past that could be considered for his removal.

In May 2023, Champion was placed on leave following tweets he posted that contained sexist language and racist connotations. In one tweet, Champion expressed frustration about being told “ladies” was an unprofessional term for women.

The executive director also replied to another post for a video featuring Patriot Front, a white nationalist group. He wrote, “At least they are not burning down cities and looting stores.”

Champion was suspended for one week without pay for the tweets.