Maine casino inspectors claim gambling control unit director retaliated against them

Milton Champion, head of Maine's Gambling Control Unit, speaks with CBS13 in Jan. 2023. (WGME)

BANGOR (WVII) -- Some Maine gambling inspectors claim their boss has created a hostile work environment and changed their work schedule out of retaliation.

Gayle Craig is a gambling inspector stationed at Hollywood Slots and Casino in Bangor.

She claims Maine Gambling Control Unit Director Milton Champion has created a hostile work environment and retaliated against them for airing concerns.

Craig says Champion changed the inspectors’ schedules from a 10-hour shift, four days a week to an 8-hour shift five days a week

Before the changes, there was an inspector present at each casino 24/7.

Now, they say there's no inspector during overnight hours or on Sundays and Mondays.

“Removing us two days a week is really impacting the casinos, and as far as I’m concerned the public would be interested because when people voted to bring casinos into Maine they voted for strict oversight and he's removing it,” Craig said.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck defended Champion's actions to the board on Tuesday.

Champion returned to the job last year after he was suspended without pay for one week for