Manitoba casino files statement of defence, claiming firing of employee justified

South Beach Casino and Resort is asking for a lawsuit from a former employee to be tossed.

A Manitoba casino facing a wrongful dismissal lawsuit by a former employee has filed a statement of defence, claiming the firing was justified.

South Beach Casino and Resort filed a statement of defence in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench on Wednesday against former employee Devin Morin, who was fired by the casino this summer.

Morin filed a statement of claim on Dec. 9, alleging he was fired in July for raising concerns of illegal drugs flowing into the facility. He had worked for the casino since 2022.

In his statement of claim, Morin said he was dismissed due to a workplace harassment complaint, but said the complaint was done in retaliation.

“At the time of his termination, the plaintiff was provided no additional details as to what alleged ‘unwelcome gestures and contact’ were being referenced, nor was the plaintiff provided a copy of the complaint or given any opportunity to respond to the serious allegations of harassment,” reads the suit.

In the statement of defence, South Beach Casino denied the allegations made by Morin, saying he was let go after two employees made sexual harassment complaints against him.

The casino said Morin was reprimanded for the first complaint in writing, and was terminated in July following the second complaint, saying the casino has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.

“The defendant denies that Morin’s termination is an act of retaliation as alleged or at all,” the statement of claim reads. “The defendant states that Morin was terminated for cause, and his termination was necessary to protect other employees of the Casino from his conduct.”

South Beach Casino is asking for Morin’s lawsuit to be dismissed.

None of the claims from either party have been tested in court.

-With files from CTV’s Milan Lukes