Former casino head of security sues for wrongful termination

THE former head of security at South Beach Casino and Resort claims in a lawsuit he was wrongfully terminated after he raised concerns about the flow of illicit drugs into the facility.

Selkirk resident Devin Morin filed a statement of claim in the Court of King’s Bench earlier this month, naming South Beach Casino Inc. as defendant.

Morin, who’s in his mid-40s, was dismissed in July after a casino staffer made a harassment complaint against him. He denied any inappropriate behaviour and claimed in court papers his termination was instead retaliation for concerns he raised over drugs entering the casino.

He is seeking unspecified damages and court costs.

“The plaintiff (raised) concerns with management about the increased prevalence of illegal drugs in the casino, including drugs being sold to South Beach staff, and the believed source of the drugs,” the court filing states.

Morin claims he communicated with South Beach’s chief executive officer on Oct. 24, 2024 and advised he “believed someone closely connected to the CEO may be one of the sources of drugs in the casino.”

After he made the report to the CEO, the former security manager alleges, “he was threatened with physical violence by the person connected to the CEO.”

Morin claims despite advising his superiors of his concerns, no investigation was conducted and no steps were taken to “prevent the flow of drugs into the casino” by the person he identified.

“The plaintiff says that following his report to the CEO, which fell squarely within his role as security manager, he was targeted by South Beach and its CEO and was subject to adverse treatment, which led up to and resulted in his termination for cause,” he claims in the lawsuit.

Morin began working at the casino as its manager of security in March 2022 with a salary of $71,500 and typical annual bonuses of around $2,000.

He was “entrusted with significant oversight and managerial responsibility” and did his job in a “professional and diligent manner,” he said in the court papers, adding his performance was regularly praised by his superiors.

But on July 29, Morin claims, he was summoned to a meeting with South Beach’s CEO, chief financial officer and human resources manager, where he was told of a complaint about “unwelcome gestures and contact” he allegedly made to a younger staff member, which the officials deemed harassment. He was fired.

Morin said in the court filing he “denies, and has always denied, acting in an inappropriate manner as alleged.”

The casino did not appoint an independent party to investigate the alleged workplace harassment, the lawsuit claims.

He alleges the casino breached its contract with him, as well as its policies and procedures about harassment allegations.

Morin said he later learned the complainant disclosed her claim to the HR manager on July 24 at a meeting at which no notes were taken, then sent an email about her concerns and discomfort on July 25, before his firing July 29.

The casino has yet to respond in court.

South Beach’s CEO, Timothy Spence, declined comment when reached by phone Monday, adding officials at the casino have not yet been served notice of the claim and that any comment would be left with the casino’s lawyer.

Morin’s lawyer, Abram Silver, declined comment.

South Beach, located on Highway 59 in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation near Lake Winnipeg cottage country, is owned by seven First Nations, including Brokenhead, Black River, Bloodvein, Hollow Water, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River.

The brightly coloured facility is designed to evoke Art Deco style. It began operations in 2005.

Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky did not return a call requesting comment.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca